''" la^ftf 




HISTORY 



OF 



BROWN UNIVERSITY, 



WITH 



ILLUSTEATIVE DOCUMENTS. 



REUBEN ALDEIDGE GUILD, 

LIBHABIAN OF THE UNIVERSITY, 

^utljor of " ITife, ®xm«s attb CorresgonbEittc of Ismes lllanrarrg/' tk. 



HiC LOCUS ^TATIS NOSTB* PRIMORDIA NOVIT, 

AnNOS FELICES, LjETITI^aUE DIES. 
HiC LOCUS INGENUIS PUEKILES IMBUIT ANNOS 

ArTIBUS, ET NOSTRiE LAUDIS ORIGO FUIT. 
HiC LOCUS INSIGNES MAGNOSaUE CBEAVIT ALUMNOS. 

Jfeckham. 



«_9LS:l;itc^ 



^^>< 



C 

PROVIDENCE, R. I, 

1867. 

V 



Three Hundred Copies, Large Paper, Ten Copies^ 



v^l^"- 



Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1867, 

By EEUBEN ALDRIDGE GUILD, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the District of Ehode Island. 



PROVIDENCE PRESS COMPANY, PRINTERS. 



QJ 



TO 



THE ALUMNI 



grotoiT Emtesilg 



THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 



THE AUTHOR. 



ENURAVINGS. 



1. VIEW OF THE COLLEGE GREEN AND HALLS IN 1840. 

2. PORTRAIT OE PRESIDENT MANNING. - - - - 

3. PORTRAIT OE NICHOLAS BROWN. - - - ' - 

4. PORTRAIT OF PRESIDENT WAYLAND. 

5. SEAL OF THE UNIVERSITY. . . . . - 

6. UNIVERSITY HALL. - - - - - 

7. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. - - - ... 

8. HOPE COLLEGE. - - - 

9. MANNING HALL. 

10. RHODE ISLAND HALL. 

11. PRESIDENT'S HOUSE. - - - 

12. NEW LABORATORY. - - 



Frontispiece. 
- Page 7 
28 



43 

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229vV-^^!^'^>^■^- 
247 ^^^ 

261 . ^ :; . 

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PREFACE. 



In my former work* I have endeavored to present a full and 
accurate account of the origin and early progress of Brown 
University, in connection with the life, times and correspondence 
of him whose personal history is thoroughly identified with the 
history of the Institution over which he presided for more than 
a quarter of a century; — and of which he may, in a certain 
sense, be justly regarded as the founder. 

A desire to continue this account down to the present time, 
and thus preserve, in the form of documentary history, some of 
the interesting manuscripts and rare printed sheets, which I have 
been enabled to collect during. the nineteen years of my of&cial 
connection with the University, has led to the publication of this 
work. A prominent object with me has been to gather up from 
documents and files of papers long since forgotten, as well as 
from those of a more recent date, the names of all persons, who, 
by their benefactions, have aided the College, and to place them on 

* Manning and Brown University ; or, Life, Times and Correspondence of James 
Manning, and the Early History of Brown University. 12nio. Boston : Gould & 
Lincoln. 1864. pp. 523. 



VI BROWNUNIVERSITY. 

permanent record, that so they may be transmitted to posterity, 
in accordance with this plan a careful index of such names has 
been added to the work. 

The indulgent reader will pardon an occasional reference to 
my life of Manning, instead of a needless repetition of what 
is already in print. The preface to this work, I may add, 
contains an account of the acquisition of the Manning Papers, 
together with the various pamphlets, sheets and manuscript 
documents from which, in addition to the files and records of 
the Corporation, the present history has been mainly compiled. 
In some of the documents now for the first time published, I 
have ventured to change slightly the orthography and gram- 
matical form of expression, but in no case have I made material 
alterations, or given any other than the real meaning and sense. 

Several errors,, partly typographical, have been discovered 
while the sheets were passing though the press, reminding me of 
what a modern bibliographer has said : " If you are troubled 
with a pride of accuracy and would have it completely taken 
iput of you, print a catalogue." 

The undertaking, like my former one, has been entered upon 
with diffidence, and continued from year to year, under all the 
disadvantages of numerous and exacting public and professional 
duties, and amidst frequent interruptions. In the confident hope 
that it may stimulate the graduates and friends of the Institu- 
tion to renewed exertions on its behalf, the History of Brown 
University, with all its faults of omission and commission, is now 
submitted to a generous and discerning public. 

R. A. G. 

irofan mrafrersitg, Pag 4, IBGZ. 



CONTENTS. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

Pagks 1-62. 

Origin of Brown University — Isaac Eaton and the Hopewell Academy — Phila- 
delphia Associatioa — Morgan Edwards — First movement to establish a College in 
Rhode Island — James Manning selected as leader — Arrival at Newport — Charter 
granted by the General Assembly — Warren selected for the Location of the College — 
Manning begins a Latin School and founds a Church — Appointed President by the Cor- 
poration — David Howell — First Commencement — William Rogers — College removed 
to Providence — College Edifice — Interruptions during the War — Manning's Matricu- 
lation Roll of Students — Appointed Representative to Congress — Death — Howell's 
account of Manning — Goddard's account — Manning's history of the College in 
1773 — Jones's letter to Howell respecting Manning's Successor — Jonathan Maxcy 
appointed President — His administration — Resignation — Death — Elton's account of 
Maxey — Succeeded by Asa Messer — His administration — College named Browu 
University — Nicholas Brown — Messer's resignation and death — Sears's account of 
Messer — Park's account — Succeeded by Francis Wayland — His administration — 
Adoption of the New System — Resignation — Tobey's remarks thereon to the Corpo- 
ration — Resolutions of the Alumni — Thomas's remarks at the Commencement Dinner 
— Wayland's Death — Caswell's remarks at the funeral — Extracts from Bartol's ser- 
mon on Wayland — Succeeded by Barnas Sears — His administration — Extract from 
Sears's Centennial Discourse — Tabular view of the Graduates under the different 
Presidents — Review of the Triennial Catalogue — Justices of the Supreme Court — 
Governors and Lieutenant Governors — Senators and Representatives to Congress — 
Doctors of Divinity — Doctors of Law — Diplomatists, Orators and Statesmen — Presi- 
dents of Colleges — Trustees and Fellows — Roll of Honor, or List of Students who 
were in the recent War — Seal of the Corporation. 



Viii BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 

Pages 63-116. 

Library in 1770 — Manning's Account of two years later — Books presented by 
Jos. D. Russell — Donations from John Gill and Benj. Wallin, of London — Library 
removed to Wrentliam during the Revolutionary War — Asher Robbins appointed 
Librarian in 1782 — Library at this time contained five hundred volumes — Fourteen 
hundred volumes presented in 1784, by John Brown — List of books presented by 
Moses Brown — Books presented by John Tanner, of Newport, and Granville Sharp, 
of London — Donation from the Bristol Education Society — By-laws adopted by the 
Corporation in 1785 — Extracts from the records, 1787-93 — Law Library presented 
in 1792, by Nicholas Brown — Extracts from the records, 179-1-6 — Letter from George 
Benson — Extracts from the records, 1805-7 — Books bequeathed by Isaac Backus — 
Donation from Thomas Carlile, of Salem — Legacy of William Richards, of Lynn, 
England — Subscription of 1825 — Metcalf Collection of Pamphlets — Account of the 
Library Fund, with names of subscribers — Manning Hall erected in 1834 — Catalogue 
published in 1843 — Gammell's account of the Library in 1844 — Subscription for the 
purchase of English books — Jewett's account of the French, German, Italian and 
English books purchased by him in Europe in 1844-5 — Shakspeariana — Moses B. 
Ives — Donations of John Carter Brown — Donation from the Class of 1821 — Patristic 
works added to the Library in 1847 — Lincoln's account of purchases made in 1851, 
at the Jarvis sale — Tallmadge bequest of one thousand dollars — New Library build- 
ing needed — Books presented by Geronimo Urmeneta, of Chili — Donation from the 
late Dr. Crocker — List of Architectural works belonging to the Library — Libraries of 
College Professors — Library of John Carter Brown — -Librarians and Assistant Libra- 
rians — Regulations and By-laws. 

HISTORY OF THE CHARTER. 

Pages 117-146. 

Early history of the Charter one of struggle against opposing influences — Man- 
ning's narrative — Arrives at Newport in 1763 and unfolds his plans for a Baptist 
College — Committee appointed to draw up a Charter, and Dr. Stiles requested to 
assist them — The Charter so drawn as to throw the governing power into the hands of 
the Presbyterians or Congregationalists — Kingsley's statements respecting Dr. Stiles 
and Wm. EUery — Petition for a Charter submitted to the General Assembly in August, 
1763 — Action upon the Charter deferred and a new Charter drawn by a Committee 
sent to Newport from Philadelphia — Alterations made by this Committee enumerated — 
Judge Jenckes's history of the Charter — Original Charter lost — Found, and presented 
to the University by Dr. Sprague, in 1864 — Summary of the main points involved in 



CONTENTS. ix 

the history of the Charter — Extract from a letter of Morgan Edwards to President 
Manning — Charter given in full — Provision exempting from taxation the estates, 
persons and families of the President and Professors — Early controversy respecting — 
Of late years revived — Resolution of the City Council of Newport in 1862 — Action 
thereon by the General Assembly — Joint action of the General Assembly and the 
Corporation of the University — President and Professors now exempted from taxation 
to the amount of ten thousand dollars— Names and residences of the Corporation in 
1770 and 1867, classified according to the four religious denominations specified in 
the Charter. 

SUBSCRIPTIONS OBTAINED BY MORGAN EDWARDS. 

Pages 147-171. 

Measures taken at the first meeting of the Corporation to endow the infant College — 
Morgan Edwards requested to solicit subscriptions — Resolves to go on a mission to Great 
Britain and Ireland — Authorization by President Manning and Vice-Chancellor Ward — 
Letter to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, commending Mr. Edwards 
and his mission^He sets out for Europe in February, 1767 — Well received in England — 
Letter to President -Manning reporting progress in obtaining subscriptions — Names of 
subscribers in Ireland — Ditto in England — Returns to America in the latter part of 
1768 — Reports to the Corporation in 1769 — Amount raised about forty-five hundred 
dollars — Original subscription book now among the archives of the University — Name 
'of Morgan Edwards prominent in the early history of the College — Particulars 
respecting his early life and professional career — Extracts respecting, from letters of 
Francis Pelot and Oliver Hart — Extract from his funeral sermon by Dr. Rogers, 
published in Rippon's Baptist Annual Register. 

FINAL LOCATION. 

Pages 172-210. 

Important question, soon after the founding of the College, in regard to the most 
desirable place for its Location — Edwards's narrative of the struggle respecting Location 
— First mention of Location in the records of the Corporation — Vote in September, 1769, 
that the College be in some part of the County of Bristol; — Special meeting of the Corpo- 
ration called on account of subscriptions having been opened for placing the College 
in the County of Kent — Struggle thus far confined to Warren and East Greenwich — 
Moses Brown first suggests that the College be at Providence — Governor Sessions's 
views respecting Location — Meeting of the Corporation held at Newport, November 14, 
1769, and continued three days — Memorial from Providence, presented on the second 
day of the meeting^Memorial from East Greenwich, presented on the last day of the 



X BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

meeting — Article published in the Newport Meecurt, showing why the College should 
be located in Newport — Redwood Library — Extract from the Diary of Dr. Stiles — 
Main contest henceforward between Providence and Newport — Preamble to the New- 
port subscription book — Letter from a Judge in Kent County declaring his preference 
for Providence — Communication from Grovernor Hopkins and the Browns addressed to 
the town councils of Gloeester and Scituate — Letter from Nicholas Brown & Co. to 
Joseph Brown at Newport — Extract from the Providence Gazette — Call for another 
meeting of the Corporation — Printed handbills circulated in Providence — Meeting of 
the inhabitants at the Court House — Anonymous letter from President Manning 
addressed to Nicholas Brown — Final meeting of the Corporation on the question of 
Location, held at Warren, February 7, 1770 — Manning's account of the meeting — 
Memorial presented from East Greenwich — Ditto from Providence — Gov. Hopkins's 
statement of the rival claims of Providence and . Newport — Ward and Hopkins contro- 
versy — -Moses Brown's account of the final meeting at Warren — Movement on part of. 
the defeated contestants to establish a second college at Newport — Remonstrance from 
the Corporation to the Legislature respecting — Movement defeated — Letter from Moses 
Brown respecting file of papers relating to the Location of the College, and also 
respecting Roger Williams and the First Baptist Church. 

SUBSCRIPTIONS OBTAINED BY HEZEKIAH SMITH. 

Pages 211—226. 

Hezekiah Smith requested by the Corporation to solicit benefactions for the College 
in the South — Credentials from Chancellor Hopkins .and President Manning — Bio- 
graphical sketch of Smith — Leaves home on his mission October 2, 1769, and returns 
June 8, 1770 — Collects about twenty-five hundred dollars in South Carolina and 
Georgia — Diary during his absence from home — Letter from Oliver Hart to President 
Manning — Names of Subscribers — Extracts from Southern newspapers — Smith's report 
to the Corporation — Money obtained mostly expended upon the College buildings. 

ACCOUNT OF THE COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 

Pages 227-246, 

First mention of a College building in Smith's diary for 1765 — Committee on a 
building appointed in 1768 — Report to the Corporation in 1769 — Plan of a building 
adopted February 9, 1770 — Home-lot of Chad Brown purchased for the location — 
Extracts from the Record of Deeds— Plan of the building adopted by the Committee, 
and approved by the Corporation, that of Nassau Hall, Princeton — Corner Stone 



CONTENTS. XI 

laid May 14, 1770 — Manning's description of the building — Extracts from the records 
of the Corporation — Account of Nicholas Brown & Co., submitted to the Corporation 
September 5, 1771 — Extracts from the original account of " sundry supplies," illustrat- 
ing the progress of the building, and the customs of our ancestors — Cost of the original 
College lands ninety dollars per acre— Names of Subscribers for the College build- 
ings — Extracts from the records — Building occupied for barracks and a hospital during 
the War — Petition to the General Assembly in 1780, to have the building restored to 
the Corporation for the uses to which it was dedicated — Letter to Doct. Franklin 
respecting the Hall, and also giving the history of the College — Remuneration by 
Congress for damages and loss of rent — Named University Hall in 1823 — Recent 
changes and improvements. 

Pages 247-253. 

Church founded by Eoger Williams in 1639 — For more than sixty years without 
a house of worship — First house built by Pardon Tillinghast in 1700 — Second house 
erected in 1726 — Description of this house, and of the mode of worship, at the time 
of Manning's removal to Providence — Church and Society under the pastoral care of 
Manning increase in numbers and efficiency — Resolve, in 1774, to build a " meeting- 
house for the public worship of Almighty God; and also for holding Commencements 
in" — Old house and lot sold at auction — Mr. John Brown appointed " the committee 
man for carrying on the building" — John Angell's orchard purchased by Mr. Russell 
for a lot — Additional expense of purchasing a large lot and building a house suffi- 
ciently large to accommodate the College, defrayed by a lottery — Dedication of the 
house May 28, 1775 — Dimensions — Historical discourse by Dr. Caldwell, preached 
May 28, 18G5— Extract from. 

Pages 254-260. 

]jatin School opened by Manning in Warren — This School the germ of the 
College— -Removed to Providence in 1770 — First carried on in the Brick School 
House on Meeting street — In 1772 removed to a room on the lower floor of the 
College edifice — History of the School from this time — Corporation resolve in 1809 
to erect a suitable building for the School, and appoint a Committee for this purpose, 
and to raise by subscription the necessary funds — List of the subscribers' names — 
Names of teachers — Building enlarged in 1852 by Messrs. Lyon and Frieze — Present 
condition of the School. 



Xii BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Pages 261-264. 

First mention of this building on the records — Corporation resolve in 1821 to erect 
another College building — Erected in 1822 at the expense of the Hon. Nicholas Brown, 
and by him presented to the Corporation — Dimensions^ master mason, and master 
builder — Named Hope College in honor of Mrs. Hope Ives, the only surviving sister 
of the donor — Account of Mrs. Ives — Estimated cost of the building — Came near 
being destroyed by fire in 1866. 

Pages 265-270. 

This building erected at the expense of the Hon. Nicholas Brown, and by him 
presented to the Corporation — Named Manning Hall in honor of his distinguished 
instructor and re\rered friend President Manning — Dedicated February 4, 1835 — Ode 
by Albert G. Greene — Ode by George Burgess — Estimated cost of the building — 
Dimensions, architect, master mason, and master builders — Embellished and improved 
in 1857 — Mural tablet in honor of Nicholas Brown — Latin inscription — Tablet in 
memory of the students and graduates of the University, who have fallen in the recent 
war — Latin inscription — Names reported by the Committee at the dedication in 1866. 

Pages 271-276. 

Corporation in 1836 appoint a Committee to devise means for the erection of 
another College building — Committee continued in 1838 and Dr. Wayland added to 
it — Letter from the Hon. Nicholas Brown, pledging ten thousand dollars towards the 
object, on condition that an equal amount be obtained by subscription on or before May 
1, 1839 — Names of subscribers — Most of the amount subscribed by citizens of Provi- 
dence — Dedicated September 3, 1840 — Address by Professor Goddard — Description 
of the building — Account of the Philosophical and Chemical Apparatus — Becent 
additions made to this department by Messrs. J. C. Brown and R. H. Ives. 

Pages 277-278. 

Dimensions, and names of builders — Occupied by President Wayland in 1840 — 
Old house opposite removed — College grounds graded and adorned — Brick barn for 
the accommodation of the President erected in 1854. 



CONTENTS. XIU 

Pages 279-282. 

Advances made in the science of Chemistry create a demand for improved facilities 
for instruction — This demand met by the Corporation of the University — New Labora- 
tory erected in 1862-3, mainly through the exertions of Professor Hill — Names of 
subscribers — Description of the building — Appointments of the Laboratory — Extract 
from the Annual Catalogue. 

COLLECTION OF PORTRAITS IN RHODE ISLAND HALL. 

Pages 283—296. 

Collection now comprises thirty-one, many of them painted from life — Obtained 
mainly through the exertions of John R. Bartlett— Descriptive account — Names of 
subscribers and donors — Communication respecting the poi-trait of Dr. Crocker, 
extracted from the records of the Corporation — Communication respecting the marble 
bust of Dr. Wayland. 

FINANCIAL HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE. 

Pages 297-302. 

First purchase of land in 1770 comprised eight acres — Cost ninety dollars per acre — 
First addition to the College estate made in 1815 — Additions made in 1822, 1826, 
1839, 1840, 1843, 1851, and 1860 — Boundaries of the College enclosure proper — 
Entire College lands comprise about fifteen acres — Planting of trees in the "College 
Park." 

2» §^0WMttttaI W^nU* 

Pages 303-307. 

Act passed by Congress in 1862, donating public lands for Agricultural Colleges — 
Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly accepting the grant of land made to 
Rhode Island — This land the Legislature propose to transfer to Brown University — 
Action of a special meeting of the Corporation held January 21, 1863 — Matter 
referred to the Executive Board — Board accept of the transfer — Agreement between 
the Corporation and the Legislature respecting said transfer — Resolution adopted by 
the General Assembly, providing for the nomination of State Scholarships at the Uni- 
versity — Unversity thus comes into possession of one hundred and twenty thousand 
acres of land — These lands sold in January, 1865, for fifty thousand dollars. 



XIV BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Pages 308-313. 
Bequest of Nicholas Brown in 1841 — Income to be appropriated in the language 
of the will, " to the charitable purpose of aiding deserving young men in obtaining 
their education while members of the University" — A portion of this income appropri- 
ated in 1842 to be awarded in premiums — Statutes regulating the award of the 
" University Premiums," adopted by the Corporation in 1850 — Corporation vote in 
1858 to apply the bequest of Mr. Brown, to Scholarships of one thousand dollars each, 
the income thereof to be appropriated, "to the charitable purpose of aiding deserving 
young men in obtaining their education while members of the University" — Recommend- 
ation of the Rhode Island Baptist Education Society substituted for that of the late 
Warren Education Society — President Sears's views in regard to scholarships — List 
of forty-seven scholarships, and also of five from which no income has yet been received. 

Pages 314-316. 
Letter from William S. Patten, read to the Corporation in September, 1860, stating 
conditions on which five thousand dollars is donated to the University by Miss Lydia 
Carpenter, of Pawtucket, as a fund to aid deserving students — Votes of the Corpora- 
tion respecting — Account of Miss Carpenter — Donation fi'om Seth Padelford. 

Pages 317-339. 
Early subscriptions for the College — John Tillinghast, the first Treasurer — Col. 
Job Bennet, the second Treasurer — Extracts from Col. Rennet's reports — Names of 
early benefactors — Resignation of Col. Bennet — Succeeded by John Brown — Character 
as Treasurer — Resignation in 1796 — Letter resigning his place as Trustee to the Cor- 
poration in 18U3 — Names of benefactors taken from Mr. Brown's reports — Benjamin 
Wallin and Hannah Ward — Mr. Brown succeeded in the Treasurersbip by his nephew, 
Nicholas Brown — College named 13rown University in 1804 — Fund for the establish- 
ment of a Professorship of Oratory and Belles-Lettres — In 1825 Mr. Brown elected 
a Fellow of the University — Succeeded by his nephew, Moses B. Ivei; — Permanent 
funds of the University in 1826 — Lotteries — Changes in the System of Collegiate 
instruction in 1850 — Property and funds at that time — President Wayland — Sub- 
scribers to the fund of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars — Bequest of ten 
thousand dollars from Hon. Nicholas Brown — President's premium fund of one thousand 
dollars — Abstract from the Treasurer's annual report for September, 1854 — Death of 
Mr. Ives in 1857 — Succeeded by his brother, Robert H. Ives — Income of the Univer- 
sity insufficient for its current expenses — Accumulation of a debt — Efforts to raise 
one hundred and fifty thousand dollais — Scholarships — Horace T. Love appointed 



CONTENTS. XV 

Agent for Brown and Waterville — List of Subscriptions — Bequest of two thousand 
dollars from William Baylies — Another vigorous effort to raise funds for the Univer- 
sity — President Sears — Subscription still in progress — Names of subscribers — Sub- 
scription to raise funds to provide for military instruction — Names of subscribers — 
Resignation of Mr. Ives in 1866 — Abstract from the Treasurer's last annual report to 
the Corporation — Succeeded by Marshall Woods — Statement of the invested funds of 
the University April 12, 1867 — Summary of all the legacies and bequests made to the 
College during the first century of its existence — Summary of the various subscriptions 
undertaken in behalf of the College — Extracts from the last will and testament of the 
Hon. Nicholas Brown, 

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 

Pages 340-426. 
First Commencement held in Warren in 1769 — Names and residences of grad- 
uates — Brief sketch of — Older of Exercises of first Commencement — Wearinof of 
gowns and caps begun in 1786 — Valedictory and Intermediate Orations formerly 
assigned by the classes — Tristam Burges — Resolution of the Corporation in 1790 in 
regard to disorderly practices on Commencement days — Commencement in early days 
compared with the Commencements of later times — Earliest printed Order of Exer- 
cises — Second Commencement held in Providence in 1770 — Order of Exercises — 
"Billy Edwards"— 1771, 1772, 1773— Doct. Solomon Drowne— President Man- 
ning's Baccalaureate Address — 1774 — No Commencement in 1775 — ^Order of Exer- 
cises for 1776 — No Commencement from 1776 until 1783 — Order of Exercises for 
1783 not preserved — No Commencement in 1784 and 1785 — 1786, 1787 — President 
Maxcy— 1788 to 1791— Judge Howell's Baccalaureate Address— 1792 to 1796— 
Tristam Burges — 1797 to 1808 — President Messer's Baccalaureate Address — 1804 
to 1825— President Sears— 1826 — President Messer — 1827— President Wayland — 
1828 to 1851— New System — 1852 to 1855— Resignation of President Wayland — 
1856— President Sears— 1857 to 1866, 

APPENDIX. 

%t^x%mixm of §xtMmt ^mx&. 

Pages 427-430. 
Dr. Sears appointed General Agent of the Board of Trustees of the Peabodt 
Educational Fund — Resigns the Presidency of the University — Special meeting 
of the Corporation — Resignation accepted — Resolutioiis adopted — President M. B. 
Anderson, of Rochester University, elected as Dr. Sears's successor — Remarks upon 
the retiring President. 

INDEX OF BENEFACTORS, Pages 431-440. 

NAMES OF SUBSCRIBEES, " 441-443. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



176^-1866. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 




iROWN University owes its origin to a desire, on the part 
of members of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, to 
secure for their churches an educated ministry, without the 
restrictions of denominational influence and sectarian tests. The 
distinguishing sentiments of the Baptists, it may be observed, were 
at variance with the religious opinions that prevailed throughout 
the American colonies a century ago. They advocated liberty 
of conscience, the entire separation of church and state, believer's 
baptism by immersion, and a converted church membership ; — 
principles for which they have earnestly contended from the 
beginning. The student of history will readily perceive how 
they thus came into collision with the ruling powers. They were 
fined in Massachusetts and Connecticut, for resistance to oppressive 
ecclesiastical laws, they were imprisoned in Virginia, and through- 
out the land were subjected to contumely and reproach. This dis- 
like to the Baptists as a denomination, or rather to their principles, 
was very naturally shared by the higher institutions of learning 
then in existence.* 

* Brown University, which was founded in 1764, is the seventh American college, in the 
order of date. Harvard College was founded in 1638 ; William and Mary, in 1692 ; Yale, 
in 1701 ; College of New Jersey, in 1746 ; University of Pennsylvania, in 1753 ; and Colum- 
bia College, in 1764. 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



In the year 1756, the Rev. Isaac Eaton, under the auspices of 
the Philadelphia and Charleston Associations, founded at Hope- 
well, New Jersey, an academy " for the education of youth for 
the ministry." To him, therefore, belongs the distinguished 
honor of being the first American Baptist to establish a semi- 
nary for the literary and theological training of young men. 
The Hopewell Academy, which was committed to the general 
supervision of a board of trustees, appointed by the two above 
mentioned associations, and supported mainly by funds which they 
contributed, was continued eleven years. During this period, 
many, who afterwards became eminent in the ministry, received 
within its quiet shades the rudiments of an education. Among 
them may be mentioned the names of James Manning, Hezekiah 
Smith, Samuel Stillman, Samuel Jones, John Gano, Oliver Hart, 
Charles Thompson, William Williams, Isaac Skillman, John Davis, 
Robert Keith, David Jones, David Thomas, John Sutton, David 
Sutton, John Blackwell, Joseph Powell, William Worth and Levi 
Bonnel. Not a few of Mr. Eaton's students distinguished them- 
selves in the professions of medicine and of law. Of this latter 
class was the late Hon. Judge Howell, a name familiar to the 
early students of Rhode Island College, and to the statesmen and 
politicians of that day. Benjamin Stelle, who graduated at the 
College of New Jersey, and who afterwards, in the year 1766, 
established a Latin school in Providence, was also a student at 
Hopewell. His daughter Mary, it may be added, was the second 
wife of the late Hon. Nicholas Brown, from whoni the University 
derives its name. 

The success of the Hopewell Academy inspired the friends of 
learning with renewed confidence, and incited them to establish 
a college. " Many of the churches," says the Rev. Morgan 
Edwards, " being supplied with able pastors from Mr. Eaton's 
Academy, and being thus convinced, from experience, of the great 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 6 

usefulness of human literature to more thoroughly furnish the 
man of God for the most important work of the gospel ministry, 
the hands of the Philadelphia Association were strengthened, and 
their hearts encouraged to extend their designs of promoting 
literature in the society, by erecting, on some suitable part of 
this continent, a college or university, which should be principally 
under the direction and government of the Baptists. At first, 
some of the southern colonies seemed to bid fairest to answer 
their purpose, there not being so many colleges in those colonies 
as the northerly ; but the northern colonies, having been visited 
by some of the Association, who informed them of the great 
increase of the Baptist societies of late, in those parts, and that 
Rhode Island Government had no public school or college in it, 
and was originally settled by persons of the Baptist persuasion, 
and a greater part of the Government remained so still, there 
was no longer any doubt but that was the most suitable place to 
carry the design into execution." * 

Mr. Edwards, to whom reference is made in the foregoing, was 
the pastor of the Baptist church of Philadelphia, to which he had 
been recommended by the Rev. Dr. Gill, and others, of London. 
He was a native of Wales, and had been educated in his early 
youth as an Episcopalian. He received his academical training 
at Bristol, imder the Rev. Dr. Foskett, and, upon the completion of 
his studies, entered upon the work of the Christian ministry. He 
arrived in this country on the 23d of May, 1761. Possessing 
superior abilities, united with uncommon perseverance and zeal, 
he became a leader in various literary and benevolent undertak- 
ings, freely devoting to them his talents and his time, and thereby 
rendering essential service to the denomination to which he was 
attached. He was the prime mover in the enterprise of establishing 
a "Baptist college"; — and to him, with the Rev. Samuel Jones, of 

* Appendix to President Seai-s's Centennial Discourse, page 63. 



6 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

Lower Dublin, Pennsylvania, the details of the plan, it appears, 
were mainly intrusted. His labors to advance this object he 
always deemed the most important of his life. In the prosecu- 
tion of the enterprise, he received hearty cooperation and sub- 
stantial aid from men like Oliver Hart and Francis Pelot, of the 
Charleston Association ; John Hart of New Jersey, the signer of 
the Declaration of Independence ; John Stites, the mayor of Eliza- 
bethtown, and father-in-law of Dr. Manning; and from others 
of kindred zeal and spirit. The final success of the movement, 
it should be added, is justly ascribed to the life-long labors of him 
who was appointed the first President of the College. 

On the 12th of October, 1762, the Philadelphia Association, 
then comprising twenty-nine churches, met at the Lutheran 
Church, in Fifth street, " where," says the record, " the sound of 
the organ was heard in the Baptist worship." Mr. Edwards was 
chosen moderator, and the Rev. Abel Morgan, clerk. At this 
meeting, says the historian Backus,* the delegates and friends 
" obtained such an acquaintance with our afiairs, as to bring them 
to an apprehension that it was practical and expedient to erect a 
college in the Colony of Rhode Island, under the chief direction 
of the Baptists ; wherein education might be promoted, and supe- 
rior learning obtained, free of any sectarian religious tests." The 
leader selected for this most important work was James Manning, 
who, on the 29th of the previous month, had graduated at the 
College of New Jersey, with the second honors of his class ; and 
who had been formerly both a pupil and an assistant at the Hope- 
well Academy. He was only twenty-four years of age, but his 
extraordinary mental and physical powers were well matured, 
and gave ample promise of that success in his chosen vocation 
and calling to which he afterwards attained. 

* Church History of New England, volume 2, page 235. 





_-<:;^^is^--»'t^ 




Firs,t President of Bro^m University - From a Portrait painted in 1770. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 7 

The accompanying likeness, engraved for our former work 
from an original portrait, exhibits him at a later period in life, 
when President of the Ehode Island College in Providence. His 
person, says a contemporary, was graceful, his countenance was 
stately and majestic, his manner enchanting, his voice harmonious, 
and his eloquence almost irresistible. He possessed, moreover, gen- 
uine piety, and a benevolence which beamed in every feature. 
And when to these varied gifts and accomplishments we add 
sterling good sense, for which he was preeminently distinguished, 
and superior learning, the wisdom of that choice which selected 
him as a leader and pioneer, in founding arid establishing a col- 
lege or university, will readily be seen and acknowledged. 

In the month of July, 1763, Mr. Manning, accompanied by his 
friend, the Rev. John Sutton, a member with him of Mr. Miller's 
church in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and also an early pupil of the 
Academy, stopped at Newport, on their way to Halifax, to arrange 
the preliminaries for establishing in Rhode Island a '' seminary of 
polite literature, subject to the government of the Baptists." 
Newport was at this time the most flourishing town in the Colony, 
and the centre of opulence, refinement and learning. Immedi- 
ately upon their arrival they "made a motion," quoting the words 
of Manning in his narrative,* *' to several gentlemen of the Baptist 
denomination, whereof Col. Gardner, the deputy governor was 
one, relative to a seminary," etc. The project was received with 
favor, and, at a meeting of its friends held at Mr. Gardner's house 
on the following day, Mr. Manning presented a rough outline or 
sketch of the design, " the tenor of which was, that the institu- 
tion was to be a Baptist one, but that as many of other denomi- 
nations should be taken in as was consistent with the said design." 
A committee was accordingly appointed, consisting of the Hon. 
Josias Lyndon and Col. Job Bennet, to draw up a charter 

* Manning and Brown University, page 46, 



8 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

agreeably to the proposed plan, and present it to "the next Gen- 
eral Assembly, with a petition that they would pass it into a law." 
These gentlemen pleading unskillfulness in a matter of this kind, 
solicited the assistance of the Rev. Dr. Stiles, afterwards the dis- 
tinguished President of Yale College. The manner in which this 
eminent scholar and divine nearly succeeded in defeating the 
project, by drafting a charter at variance with the original 
design, is fully related in Manning and Brown University; — to 
which work, as also to a subsequent chapter on the College char- 
ter, the reader is referred for details and illustrations. After 
various difficulties and delays, in consequence of the determined 
opposition of those who were unfriendly to the movement, the 
Legislature, or "General Assembly," held by adjournment in East 
Greenwich, the last week in February, 1764, granted a charter, 
which has secured to the College or University, for a century, 
ample privileges ; and which is " undoubtedly," says Prof Kings- 
ley, in his Life of Dr. Stiles, " in many respects, one of the best 
college charters in New England." Its chief provisions were : 
The exclusion of all religious tests for applicants for admission, 
and of all sectarian teachings in the College course ; equality of 
privileges for all Protestant denominations ; the choice of Profes- 
sors without regard to denominational views ; and government by 
a President of Baptist sentiments, and by a Board of Fellows and 
a Board of Trustees, in which, though the Baptists were to have 
the predominance, other denominations in the Colony were to be 
fairly represented. Of the twelve Fellows, eight, including the 
President, were to be Baptists; and of the thirty-six Trustees, 
twenty-two were to be Baptists ; five. Friends ; four, Congrega- 
tionalists ; and five. Episcopalians. The corporate name of the 
Institution was to be, " The College or University in the English 
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New Eng- 
land, in America," until it should be honored with that of some 
eminent benefactor — an anticipation in due time happily fulfilled. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 9 

But though the Colony of Rhode Island had been selected 
for the College, and a charter had been secured, no town stood 
prepared to welcome it in its infant state, without students, 
without funds, and with no certain means of support. To the 
friends and projectors of the enterprise it seemed therefore desira- 
ble, that it should be located where the President might have an 
opportunity to preach, in connection with the work of instruction, 
and thus secure for the time being a maintenance for himself and 
family. The two churches at Newport were already provided 
with competent pastors; — the Rev. Edward Upham, a graduate 
of Harvard College, and the Rev. Gardner Thurston, whose meet- 
ing-house and congregation were at this early period the largest, 
according to Edwards, of any connected with the Baptist denomi- 
nation in New England. The church at Providence, although the 
oldest Baptist church in America, had never been accustomed to 
contribute liberally towards the support of a pastor. With only 
one hundred and eighteen members living widely apart, with 
a small and uncomfortable house, opposed to singing in public 
worship, and clinging to many prejudices and customs, which it 
afterwards threw off under the enlightened teachings of Man- 
ning, it offered but feeble encouragement to a seat of learning. 
Besides, the church was already provided with a pastor, the Rev. 
Samuel Winsor, who had been settled over them since 1759. 
Warren, a thriving town on the Narragansett Bay, ten miles from 
Providence, seemed to meet all the requirements of the case. 
Here were ample materials for the formation of a church; — and 
here the leader in the great educational movement of the Phila- 
delphia Association would receive a cordial welcome. 

Mr. Manning, therefore, shortly after the granting of the 
charter, or about the middle of April, 1764, removed with his 
family to Warren, where he immediately opened a Latin school, 



10 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

as a step preparatory to the beginning of College instruction. 
This school, which soon became flourishing, he continued to teach 
or superintend for many years, in connection with his professional 
duties and calling. In 1770, it was removed to Providence, and, 
upon the completion of what is now called " University Hall," was 
kept in the lower story of that building. Under the name of the 
" University Grammar School," it continues at the present day to 
render most efficient service, as an auxiliary to the Institution 
which called it into being. 

At the time of Manning's arrival in Warren, there were nearly 
sixty Baptist communicants residing in the place, the majority of 
whom were members of the venerable church in Swanzey. The 
population of the village was increasing, and the time seemed to 
have come for carrying out their long cherished plans and wishes 
in regard to the formation of a church. The zeal and eloquence 
of Manning as a preacher had attracted a large congregation, and 
not a few persons had become believers in Christ, as the fruits of 
his ministry. Accordingly, on the 15th of November, 1764, a 
church of fifty-eight members was organized, over which Man- 
ning was duly installed as pastor. The relations thus assumed 
proved pleasant alike to minister and people. During the six 
years of their continuance the church greatly increased in num- 
bers and strength, while the College flourished under its fostering 
care. 

At the second aniaual meeting of the Corporation, held in New- 
port, on the first Wednesday in September, 1765, Mr. Manning 
was formally appointed " President of the College, Professor of 
Languages, and other branches of learning, with full power to 
act in these capacities at Warren, or elsewhere." This is the 
language of the record, which, as has been playfully remarked, 
" though not obnoxious to the charge of legal precision, seems to 
imply, on the part of the Corporation, no want of confidence in 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 11 

the variety of the President's attainments." In the following 
year, Mr. David Howell,* a graduate of the College of New Jersey, 
who was afterwards honored with high political and judicial trusts 
in the State of his adoption, became his assistant. As funds were 
needed for the support of the instructors, Mr. Edwards, in 1767, 
visited England and Ireland, for the purpose of soliciting aid ; in 
which undertaking, considering the times, he was very successful. 
The original subscription book, containing among others, the hon- 
ored signatures of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin West, Thomas 
Llewelyn, Thomas Penn, Thomas Hollis, Rev. Dr. Stennett, Rev. 
Dr. Gilford, Rev. Dr. Gibbons, and the commentator. Rev. Dr. Gill, 
constitutes one of the most precious documents in the College 
archives. Collections were also made in South Carolina and 
Georgia, through the agency of the Rev. Hezekiah Smith, and also 
in the churches connected with the various Baptist associations. 

The first Commencement of the College, was held in the meet- 
ing-house at Warren, on the 7th day of September, 1769. Four 

*Hoii. Judge Howell LL. D. He was born in New Jersey, January 1. 1747, and gradu- 
ated at Princeton, in 1766. In 1770 he removed to Providence, where he continued to reside 
until his death, in 1824, at the age of seventy-seven years. In 1769 he was appointed a 
Professor in the College, and in 1773, he was elected to a Fellowship in the Corporation, 
retaining this latter position upwards of fifty-one years. He practised law a great while, 
and was among the m(>st eminent members of the Ehode Island Bar. Under the Confeder- 
ation he was a member of Congress, and he subsequently filled, with great ability, various 
high offices. In 1812 he was appointed United States Judge for the District of Rhode 
Island, and this oificc he sustained until his death. He was endowed, says Prof. Goddard, 
with extraordinary talents, and he superadded to his endowments extensive and accurate 
learning. He was a brilliant wit, and as a pungent and effective political writer he was 
unrivalled. Judge Howell, it may be added, was a man of enormous physical development, 
weighing, it is said, upwards of three hundred pounds. He married Mary, daughter of 
Jeremiah and Waitstill Brown, and granddaughter of the Rev. James Brown, one of the 
early pastors of the Baptist Church in Providence. One of his daughters, Waitstill, was 
married to Ebenezer Knight Dexter, Esq., who, dying without issue, bequeathed to the City 
of Providence, the " Dexter Asylum " lands, the "Dexter Training Ground," and a large 
portion of his ample estate. Another daughter, Sarah, married for her first husband, 
Gamaliel Lyman Dwight of Boston. Their grandson, Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, has 
recently founded the "David HoweU Scholarship," to perpetuate in the University the 
name and memory of his distinguished ancestor. 



12 BROWN UNIVEKSITY. 

years had elapsed since the President, with a soHtary pupil,* began 
his Collegiate work as an instructor. Amid severe toils, and diffi- 
culties, and opposition even, he had quietly persevered, until the 
infant Seminary under his care had won its way to public favor. 
And now seven students were to take their first degree, and go 
forth to the duties of life. They were young men of unusual 
promise. Some of them were destined to fill conspicuous places 
in the approaching struggle for independence; others were to 
be leaders in the church, and distinguished educators of youth. 
Probably no class that has gone forth from the University, in her 
palmiest days of prosperity, has exerted so widely extended and 
beneficial an influence, the times and circumstances taken into 
account, as this first classf that graduated at Warren. The 
occasion drew together a large concourse of people from all parts 
of the Colony, inaugurating the earliest State holiday in the his- 
tory of Rhode Island. A contemporary account preserves the 
interesting facts, that both the President and the candidates for 
degrees were dressed in clothing of American manufacture, and 
that the audience, composed of many of the first ladies and gen- 
tlemen of the Colony, behaved with great decorum. 

Up to this date, 1769, the "Seminary," says Morgan Edwards, 
" was for the most part friendless and moneyless, and therefore, 
forlorn, insomuch that a College edifice was hardly thought of" 
But the interest manifested in the exercises of Commencement, 
and the frequent remittances from England, led some " to hope, 

*Eev. Wm. Eogers, D. D., for many years Professor of Oratory and Belles Lettres in 
the University of Pennsylvania. He was matriculated by President Manning on the 3d of 
September, 1765. The next student of the College was Eichard Stites, a nephew of the 
President, who was matriculated June 20, 1766. Mr. Rogers was therefore the first student 
of Brown University, and for nine months and seventeen days the only student. A fine 
portrait of him, painted by his daughter, forms a part of the Collection of Portraits in 
Rhode Island Hall. 

fBiographical sketches of Varnum, Rogers, Williams, and Thompson, prominent members 
of this class, are given in Manning and Brown University, pp. 91-106. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 13 

and many to fear, that the Institution would come to something 
and stand. Then a building and the place of it were talked of, 
which opened a new scene of troubles and contentions, that had 
well nigh ruined all. Warren was at first agreed on as a proper 
situation, where a small wing was to be erected in the spring of 
1770, and about £800 (lawful money) was raised toward effecting 
it. But soon afterwards, some who were unwilling it should be 
there, and some who were unwilling it should be anywhere, did 
so far agree, as to lay aside the said location, and propose that 
the county which should raise the most money should have the 
College." Subscriptions were immediately set on foot in several 
counties, but the claimants for the honor were finally reduced 
to two, viz: Providence and Newport. The contested question 
was finally settled, at a special meeting of the Corporation held 
in Warren, February 7, 1770. "The people had raised," says 
Manning, in his account of this meeting, " £4,000, lawful money, 
taking in their unconditional subscription. But Providence pre- 
sented £4,280, lawful, and advantages superior to Newport in 
other respects." The dispute, he adds lasted from 10 o'clock 
Wednesday morning until the same hour Thursday night, and 
was decided in the presence of a large congregation, in favor of 
Providence, by a vote of twenty-one to fourteen. 

Soon after this decision, the President and Prof Howell, with 
their pupils, removed to Providence, occupying for a time the upper 
part of the Brick School House on Meeting street, for prayers 
and recitations. On the 14th of May, 1770, the foundations of 
the first College building were laid. The spot selected for it was 
the crest of a hill which then commanded a view of the bay, the 
river, with the town on its banks, and a broad reach of country 
on all sides. The land comprised about eight acres, and included 
a portion of the original " home lot" of Chad Brown, the associate 
and friend of Roger Williams, and the "first Baptist Elder in 



14 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



Rhode Island." Now that the buildings of the city have crept 
up the hill, and, gathering round the College grounds, have 
stretched out far beyond them, thus shutting out the nearer 
prospect, the eye can still take in, from the top of " University 
Hall," the same varied and beautiful landscape which once con- 
stituted one of the chief attractions of the site. 

During a portion of the revolutionary period, from December 
6, 1776, until May 27, 1782, the College was disbanded; and a 
gap therefore occurs in its history. Up to this time the number 
of students had steadily increased from year to year. In 1765, 
there was, as we have already stated, but a single pupil pursuing 
a course of study under President Manning. In the year follow- 
ing there were six; in 1767 ten; in 1770 twenty-one; in 1773 
thirty-five, and in 1775 forty-one. These facts we learn from a 
paper preserved on file by Judge Howell, and also from an inter- 
esting paper in the hand-writing of Manning. The latter is 
entitled "A Matriculation Roll of the number of students in 
Rhode Island College, with the time of their admission, up to 
1769," and reads as follows, the several classes being separated by 
intervening lines : — 

entered September 3, 1765, from Newport, R. I. 



William Rogers, 
Richard Stites, 
Joseph Belton, 
Joseph Eaton, 
William Williams, 
Charles Thompson, 
James M. Vainum, 

John Dennis, 
Theodore Foster, 
Samuel Nash, 
Seth Read, 

Thomas Arnold, 
Thomas Ustick, 



June 20, 1766, 

November 4, 1766, 

10,1766, 

10, 1766, 

10.1766, 

May 23, 1768, 



entered September, 1767, 
1767, 
1767, 
1767, 



Elizabethtown, N. J. 
Groton, Ct. 
Hopewell, N. J. 
Hilton, Penn. 
Amwell, N. J. 
" Dracut, Mass. 

from Newport, K. I. 
" Brookfield, Mass. 
" Massachusetts. 
" Uxbridge, Mass. 



entered September, 1768, from Smithfield, R. I. 

1768, " City of New York. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



15 



Samuel Ward, entered September, 1768, 

Ranne Cossit, " " 1768, 

Benjamin Farnum, " " 1768, 

Micah Brown, " " 1768, 

WiUiam Nelson, " " 1768, 



from Westerly, R. I. 
' ' Connecticut. 
'' Connecticut. 
" Barrington, R. I. 
" Middleborough, Mass. 



Joseph Appleton, entered 


September, 1769, 


from Ipswich, Mass. 


Ebenezer David, " 


1769, 


" City of Philadelphia 


Benjamin Greene, " 


1769, 


" Bristol, R.I. 


Joseph Harris. 


1769, 


" Smithfield, R. I. 


Elias Howell, 


1769, 


" Egg Harbor, N. J. 


Joseph D. Russell, " 


1769, 


" Providence, R. I. 



Solomon Drown, entered September, 1769, from Providence, R. I. 

Joseph Litchfield, " " 1769, " Massachusetts. 

Jacob Nash, " " 1769, " Providence, R. T. 

Philip Paddleford, " " 1769, " Middleborough, Mass. 

HenryH.Tillinghast, •' " 1769, " Providence. R. I. 

On Saturday, December 7, 1776, Sir Peter Parker, the British 
commander, with seventy sail of men-of-war, anchored in Newport 
harbor, landed a body of troops, and took possession of the place. 
Providence was at once thrown into confusion and alarm. Forces 
hastily collected were massed throughout the town, martial law 
was proclaimed. College studies were interrupted, and the students 
were dismissed to their respective homes. The seat of the Muses 
now became the habitation of Mars. The dormitories and recita- 
tion-rooms were occupied as barracks by the State militia, and 
afterwards as a hospital by our French allies. 

In the Spring of 1786, President Manning, whose graceful 
deportment, thorough scholarship, and wise and Christian character 
had commended him to all his fellow-citizens, was unanimously 
appointed by the General Assembly of Rhode Island to represent 
the State in the Congress of the Confederation. This was during 
a crisis of depression and alarm, when the whole political fabric 
was threatened with destruction. He, however, returned to his 



16 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

<^ollege duties at the close of the year, being unwilling to remain 
longer away from the scenes of his chosen labors. With the 
momentous questions of the day he was thoroughly familiar, and 
he afterwards, by his voice and by his pen, contributed very 
materially to the adoption of the Federal Constitution by the 
State, in 1790. 

On the morning of July 24, 1791, while uttering the voice 
of prayer around the domestic altar. Dr. Manning was seized with 
a fit of apoplexy, in which he remained, but with imperfect con- 
sciousness, till the ensuing Friday, when he expired, in the 54th 
year of his age. The sudden death of a man who was univer- 
sally esteemed and loved, and who had filled for so many years, 
such various and responsible stations of usefulness and trust, pro- 
duced throughout the entire community the most profound sor- 
row, reaching to every part of the city in which he lived. The 
College, with which he had been identified from its infancy ; the 
Warren Association, which had been founded mainly through his 
instrumentality; the venerable Baptist church, over which he 
for twenty years had been pastor ; the State, whose counsels and 
deliberations he had often guided ; and especially the religious 
denomination, far and near, to which he was sincerely attached, 
all lamented the loss of a great and good man. A vast concourse 
of people attended his funeral, and followed with weeping eyes 
his remains to the grave. That the death of a Christian minister, 
and a teacher of science and letters, who possessed none of the 
advantages of wealth, but whose later years, on the contrary, 
had been oppressed by economic solicitude and care, should pro- 
duce a regret so imiversal and so deep, "is a pleasing homage " — 
adopting the language of Robert Hall on the occasion of the 
death of Dr. Ryland — "to the majesty of moral power and intel- 
lectual greatness." 

The following particulars relating to Dr. Manning's personal 
appearance, habits, character and influence, are from the pen of 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 17 

his' early associate and friend, the Hon. David Howell, who wrote 
his obituary notice, and who also penned the inscription upon the 
marble tablet erected to his memory by the Trustees and Fellows 
of the College: — 

In his youth he was remarkable for his dexterity in athletic exercises, for the 
symmetry of his body, and gracefulness of his person. His countenance was stately 
and majestic, fall of dignity, goodness, and gravity ; and the temper of his mind was a 
counterpart to it. He was formed for enterprise. His address was pleasing, his man- 
ner enchanting, his voice harmonious, and his eloquence almost irresistible. 

Having deeply imbibed the spirit of truth himself, as a preacher of the gospel, 
he was faithful in declaring the whole counsel of God. He studied plainness of speech, 
and to be useful more than to be celebrated. The good order, learning, and respecta- 
bility of the Baptist churches in the eastern states, are much owing to his assiduous 
attention to their welfare. The credit of his name and his personal influence among 
them, have never, perhaps, been exceeded by any other character. 

Of the College he must be considered, in one sense, as the founder. He pre- 
sided with the singular advantage of a superior personal appearance, added to all his 
shining talents for governing and instructing youth. From the first beginning of his 
Latin school at Warren, through many discouragements, he has, by constant care and 
labor, raised this seat of learning to notice, to credit, and to respectability in the 
United States. Perhaps the history of no other college will disclose a more rapid 
progress or greater maturity, in the course of about twenty-five years. 

A.lthough he seemed to be consigned to a sedentary life, yet he was capable of 
more active scenes. He had paid much attention to the government of his country, 
and had been honored by this State with a seat in the Old Congress. In state afiairs 
he discovered an uncommon degree of sagacity, and he might have made a figure as a 
politician. 

In classical learning he was fully competent to the business of teaching, although 
he devoted less time than some others in his station to the study of the more abtruse 
sciences. In short, nature seemed to have furnished him so completely, that little 
remained for art to accomplish. The resources of his genius were great. In conver- 
sation he was at all times pleasant and entertaining. He had as many friends as 
acquaintances, and he took no less pains to serve his friends than to acquire them. 

His death is a loss, not to the College or church only, but to the world. He is 

lamented by the youth under his care, by the churches, by his fellow-citizens ; and 

wherever his name has been heard, in whatever quarter of the civilized earth, the 

friends of science, of virtue and humanity will drop a tender tear on the news of his 

death. 

3 



18 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

We may be allowed to add further particulars respecting his 
voice, manners and discipline, from the pen of his accomplished 
biographer, the late Professor Goddard : — 

The voice of Dr. Manning was not among the least of his attractions. To its 
extraordinary compass and harmony may, in no small degree, be ascribed the vivid 
impression which he made upon minds How potent is the fascination of a musical 
and expressive voice ! How sad to think, that, in these days of almost universal 
accomplishment, this mighty instrument for touching the heart of man should be com- 
paratively neglected ! When in connection with a more careful culture of our moral 
being, the voice shall be trained to a more perfect manifestation of its powers, a charm, 
hitherto unfelt, will be lent to the graceful pleasures of life, and an influence of almost 
untried efficacy to its serious occasions. 

The manners of Dr. Manning were not less prepossessing than his personal 
appearance. They seemed to be the expression of that dignity and grace for which he 
was so remarkable, and of which he appeared to be entiiely unconscious — a dignity 
and grace, not artificial or studied in the least, but the gift of pure nature. He was 
easy without negligence, and polite without affectation. Unlike many of the distin- 
guished men in our country, he was too well bred to adopt an air of patronage and 
condescension towards his inferiors either in talent or in station. As a Christian, also, 
he felt the importance of cultivated manners, and he acknowledged no necessary con-, 
nection between the sternest fidelity to principle and the precision and austerity with 
which it is sometimes found associated. Like the venerable Wheelock, the founder of 
Dartmouth College, he abhorred all religious profession which was not marked with 
good manners. 

In the discipline and instruction of the College, Dr. Manning was eminently 
successful. He secured the obedience of his pupils, rather by the gentleness of 
parental persuasion than by the sternness of official authority. His instructions, which 
were always oral, never failed to command their attention, and to leave upon their 
minds a distinct impression. Classical learning was his forte, and to the. classics and 
their cognate branches, he principally confined himself. 

Dr. Manning, in his correspondence with friends in England, 
frequently alludes to a "Narrative" or sketch of the College, 
which he was preparing to publish in a pamphlet form, for gen- 
eral circulation. The breaking out of the war and the conse- 
quent interruption of College exercises, probably prevented the 
carrying out of his original plans. Among his manuscript papers 
we find a rough draft of the following sketch, which is interesting 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 19 

as a production from his pen, and as an exhibition of the condition 
of the College in 1773. It is entitled, "Rhode Island College. 
By President Manning." 

The charter was granted by the Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode 
Island, in the year 1764, incorporating a number of gentlemen therein mentioned by 
the name of " The Trustees and Fellows of the College in her Majesty's English Colony 
of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England in America," whereby 
they are " authorized to admit to and confer any and all the learned degrees which can 
or ought to be given, or conferred in any of the colleges in America." And it is like- 
wise expressed in the charter, that "into this liberal and catholic Institution shall never 
be admitted any religious tests ; but on the contrary, all the members hereof shall for- 
ever enjoy full, free, absolute and uninterrupted liberty of conscience;" and "that youth 
of all religious denominations shall and may be admitted to the equal advantages, 
emoluments and honors of the College, and shall receive a like fair, generous and 
equal treatment during their residence therein; " and " that the sectarian differences in 
opinion shall not make any part of the public and classical instruction;" and "that the 
places of Professors, tutors, and all other officers, the President alone excepted, (who 
shall forever be of the denomination called Baptists, or Antipoedobaptists) shall be free 
and open for all denominations of Protestants." 

The number of Trustees is thirty-six, as follows : The Hon. Stephen Hopkins, 
Esq., Chancellor of the College, Hon. Samuel Ward, Esq , Vice Chancellor, Hon. 
Job Bennet, Esq. , Treasurer, Hon Messrs. Josias Lyndon, Joseph Wanton, Jr , 
Nicholas Cook, Darius Sessions, James Helme and Thomas Greene, Esqrs., Rev. 
Messrs. John Gano, Gardner Thurston, Russel Mason, Joshua Clarke, John Maxon, 
Isaac Backus and Samuel Winsor, Messrs. Daniel Jenckes, James Honeyman, John 
Tillinghast, Henry Ward, Nicholas Brown, John Tanner, George Hazard and Syl- 
vester Child, Esqrs., Dr. Ephraim Bowen, Messrs. Joseph Russel, Joseph Brown, 
John G. Wanton, Simon Pease, John Warren, William Brown, Peleg Barker, 
Edward 'J'burston, Jr. and Nathan Spear. Two places vacant. 

The number of Fellows is twelve, as follows : Rev. James Manning, Dr. 
Thomas Eyres, Rev. Edward Upham, Rev. Morgan Edwards, Rev. George Bisset, 
Rev. Samuel Stillman, Rev. Hezekiah Smith. Dr. Joshua Babcock, Dr. Jabez Bowen, 
and Dr. Jonathan Easton. Two pluces vacant. 

President of the College, Rev. James Manning, who also teaches Moral Philoso- 
phy, English and Oratory. Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, David 
Hoell, (Howell,) who also teaches the Hebrew and French Languages; Tutor, (vacant.) 
Supplied by the Professor. Master of the Grammar school, Ebenezer David. Libra- 
rian, John Dorrance. Steward, Josias Arnold. 



20 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

The students are divided into four classes, viz. : Freshman, Sophomore, Junior 
and Senior. The three lower classes are examined quarterly, when graduates of any 
college have liberty to attend ; and those students who appear to have merited it, are 
advanced to the next class; and on the contrary delinquents are degraded, or their 
standing is left conditional for another quarter's trial. Young gentlemen who produce 
certificates of a good moral character are admitted to such standing in the College, as 
their proficiency in knowledge will entitle them to, upon examination. 

The annual meeting of the Corporation, and Commencement, is on the first 
Wednesday in September. The first Commencement was held at Warren in the year 
1769, when seven alumni of the College were graduated. Present members of Col- 
lege, 35; members of the Grrammar school, 18; in all, 53- 

The College edifice, an elegant brick building, four stories high, 150 by 46 feet, 
besides a projection on each side of 33 by 10 feet, is situated on rising ground, adjoin- 
ing the town of Providence, commanditig an agreeable and extensive prospect, and 
enjoying a serene and salutary air. 

The whole expense of the College edifice was defrayed by the voluntary contri- 
butions of particular gentlemen in this Colony. Collections have also been made for 
the College fund in this Colony and elsewhere, particularly in Great Britain and Ire- 
land, by the application of the Kev. Morgan Edwards, and in some of the southern 
colonies on this continent by the Rev. Hezekiah Smith. 

Tuition, twelve dollars per year. Boarding, one dollar per week. 

Immediately upon the death of Dr. Manning, measures were 
adopted to secure a successor in the Presidency of the College. 
At an informal meeting of the Corporation held in Providence, 
the Hon. David Howell was requested to write on the subject to 
the Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones, of Lower Dublin, Pennsylvania. His 
interesting letter may be found in Manning and Brown University, 
pp. 454-5. The following is the reply, which we publish as a 
part of the history of this period. Mr. Jones, it will be remem- 
bered, was one of the original founders of the College. 

Lower Dublin, August 15, 1791 
Dear Sir: — I received yours of the 8d instant the day before yesterday. The 
melancholy tidings of the decease of your worthy President had reached me six days 
before ; on which sorrowful occasion, I am not ashamed to own, I shed many a tear. 
Our acquaintance commenced at the Grramtnar school, where we were classmates, thirty- 
five years ago, since which time an unusual intimacy and friendship, in various con- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 21 

nections, transactions of business, consultations for advice, discussion of points, theo- 
logical and political, respecting church and state, etc., have subsisted without a single 
disquieting jar. He was the dearest to me of all men on earth. But now he is no 
more ! Manning ! Alas my brother! irreparable loss ! — But heaven had so 
decreed. It is our duty to submit. 

As for what you have so handsomely said, respecting some thoughts of me as 
the late Doctor's successor in the Presidentship, waving the compliments paid me, I 
must beg leave to come forward, and totally decline it at once. The appointment 
would be so far above my abilities and other qualifications ; it would be so unsuitable 
for a man so far advanced in years (fifty-six) to enter on a new scene of life, etc., etc., 
that my very acceptance would bear witness against you for the appointment, and me 
for accepting. 

You will, however, suffer me to declare, that I am, and ever have been, warmly 
attached to the interests of the College ; and deem it of the utmost consequence, that 
the vacancy should be suitably filled, without any more loss of time than circumstances 
will render unavoidable. If I thought I could be indulged with the liberty of men- 
tioning names, without giving offence, I would lay before the Corporation the names 
of the Hon. David Howell, and the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, both of Providence. 
Should it be decided that the clause in the charter respecting a President militates 
against the one, and want of years against the other, (for a man may be too young as 
well as too old,) I would then suggest the expediency of casting an eye over the 
Atlantic In this case, I would just hint the expediency of deputing a person, in 
whose fidelity, prudence, discretion and judgment you could confide, to go over and 
negotiate the business We know that interest, connections, friendship, etc., do often 
so bias, as to make it unsafe to trust .-my man, or set of men where the application is 
made. I knew, some years ago, an application to a venerable board, whose conduct 
on the occasion was such as I thought they could not justify. I have only to add, 
that should you determine to send one over, and could not find one willing to go that 
would answer the end better than myself, I would not decline the service. I mention 
this with a view to save time. 

As I have been a little particular, and mentioned the chief of what now occurs, 
I do not see that my attendance at your Commencement would be of much conse- 
quence. But I will consider of it. You will be so kind as to make my most respect- 
ful compliments to the Honorable Corporation. Remember rae in a very particular 
and affectionate manner to Mrs. Manning, as also to Mrs. Howell, and in general to 
all my friends at Providence, or elsewhere, whom you may have an opportunity of 
seeing at your Commencement, and be assured 

I remain, with sentiments of high esteem, your most obedient, most humble servant, 

Samuel Jones. 



22 BKOWN UNIVEESITY. 

A new era in the history of the College now opens to view. 
Agreeably to the suggestions contained in this friendly letter to 
Judge Howell, President Manning was succeeded, in 1792, by the 
Kev. Jonathan Maxcy, who, during the previous year, had held 
the temporary appointment of Professor of Divinity. The career 
of this remarkable man indicates a high order of genius. At the 
early age of fifteen he entered the Institution as a pupil, gradu- 
ating in 1787, with the highest honors of his class. He was 
immediately appointed tutor, which position he held four years. 
It was during this period that he became the subject of renewing 
grace, and was baptized by his venerated President and pastor, 
Dr. Manning. In 1791, he was chosen pastor of the Baptist 
church, of which he was already a member, and the year follow- 
ing he was elected President of the College j)ro tempore, as appears 
from the records of the Corporation. In 1797, he was formally 
elected President. As a man of practical judgment, and safe 
views on all subjects, inspiring universal and unlimited confidence, 
he was undoubtedly far inferior to his distinguished predecessor ; 
and this, with his extreme youth, may have been the reason why 
he was at first elected President pro tempore, or in other words, 
Vice-President. His great genius and learning, nevertheless, 
attracted public attention, and drew students to the College, add- 
ing materially to its literary reputation. 

During his brilliant career of ten years, men were educated 
and sent out into all the professions, who, for learning, skill, and 
success in life, will not sufier in comparison with the graduates of 
any other period. It may be sufficient to mention, in illustration, 
the names of Samuel W. Bridgham, the first Mayor of Providence; 
Hon. WiUiam Baylies, LL. D., who has so recently died at Bridge- 
water, Massachusetts, and also his classmate, Hon. Ezekiel Whit- 
man, LL. D. ; Hon. Tristam Burges, LL. D., the orator and states- 
man of whom Rhode Island is so justly proud ; Hon. John Holmes 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 23 

a member of Congress, and Senator from Maine ; Rev. Dr. John 
M. Roberts, of South Carohna ; Prof Calvin Park ; Hon. James 
Tallmadge, LL. D., a member of Congress from New York, and 
also Lieutenant-Governor ; Jeremiah Chaplin, D. D., President of 
Waterville College ; Hon. John Pitman, LL. D., of Providence ; 
Hon. Nathan Fellows Dixon, Senator from Rhode Island ; Rev. 
Dr. James Thompson ; Rev. Dr. John M. Bradford ; Rev. Dr. 
Lucius Bolles ; Hon. Andrew Pickens, Governor of South Caro- 
lina ; and Hon. Henry Wheaton, LL. D., the distinguished author 
of " Elements of International Law." 

"The splendor of Dr. Maxcy's genius," says the American 
biographer Blake, " and his brilliant talents as an orator and divine, 
had become widely known ; and under his administration the 
College acquired a reputation for belles-lettres and eloquence 
inferior to no seminary of learning in the United States." " His 
voice," says Tristam Burges, "seemed not to have reached the 
deep tone of full age ; but most of all to resemble that of those 
concerning whom the Savior of the world said, 'of such is the 
kingdom of heaven.' The eloquence of Maxcy was mental. You 
seemed to hear the soul of the man ; and each one of the largest 
assembly, in the most extended place of worship, received the 
slightest impulse of his silver voice as if he stood at his very ear. 
So intensely would he enchain attention, that in the most thronged 
audience you heard nothing but him and the pulsations of your 
own heart. His utterance was not more perfect than his whole 
discourse was instructive and enchanting." 

In the month of September, 1802, Dr. Maxcy resigned the 
Presidency of the College, in the following letter addressed to the 
"Honorable Corporation": — 

Gentlemen : — Agreeable to the information which I have communicated to you, 
I now resign my office, as President of this College. Nothing but necessity induces 
me to adopt this measure. My attachment to the College still remains, and I trust 



24 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

long will remain. I beg the gentlemen of the Corporation to accept the assurances of 
my respect and friendship, and my grateful acknowledgments of the honors to which 
you have promoted me. 

I am, Gentlemen, your friend and humble servant, 

Jonathan Maxct. 

The reply is creditable to both parties: — 

Sir: — Your resignation has this morning (September 2) been laid before us by 
the Honorable Chancellor, and in compliance with your wishes, we have, though with 
much reluctance, accepted it. The connection which has so long and so happily sub- 
sisted between you and this Institution; its increasing prosperity during the time 
which you have presided, together with our attachment to your person and family, are 
circumstances which exceedingly heighten our regret at the thought of a separation. 
We are persuaded, however, that nothing but a sense of duty could have induced you 
to remove your relation from this College, and you may be assured that nothing less 
could have prevailed on us to ac(;ept your resignation. 

But, Sir, we are happy in the reflection, that your talents are still to be employed 
in the promotion of science and literature ; that you are to preside over another insti- 
tution, where we hope the sphere of your usefulness may be increased. 

Our best wishes, dear Sir, for your prosperity and happiness will accompany you, 
and we most earnestly pray that the smiles of an indulgent Providence may attend 
you, that your life and health may be preserved, and that you may long be continued 
the friend of science, of virtue, and religion. 

Submitted by 

Thomas Baldwin, ^ 

RoBEET Rogers, > CommifMe. 

Samuei, Eddy, ) 

Immediately upon his resignation, Dr. Maxcy was appointed 
President of Union College, Schenectady, New York, as successor 
of the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards, deceased. Previous to this 
event, when only thirty-three years of age, Harvard University 
had conferred on him the degree of Doctor in Divinity, such was 
his celebrity as a scholar and divine. He oflftciated at Schenectady 
with increasing reputation until 1804, when he accepted the unso- 
licited appointment of President of South Carolina College, with the 
fond anticipation of finding a warmer climate more congenial to 
his physical constitution. Over this institution he presided, with 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 26 

almost unprecedented popularity, during the remainder of his 
life. He died at Columbia, South Carolina, June 4, 1820, in the 
53d year of his age.* His writings, or " Literary Remains," edited 
by the Rev. Dr. Romeo Elton, were published in 1844, in an 
octavo volume. Eight years later, a selection from his "Remains," 
consisting of collegiate addresses, was published in London, mak- 
ing a pleasant little duodecimo volume of one hundred and ninety- 
one pages. From the biographical introduction to these addresses, 
by Dr. Elton, a few extracts are made : — 

In his person he was rather small of stature, yet of a fine and well-proportioned 
figure. His features were regular and manly, indicating intelligence and benevolence ; 
and, especially in conversation and public speaking, they were strongly expressive. 
Grace and dignity were also combined in his movements. 

As a scholar, Dr. Maxcy held a very high rank. His stores of knowledge were 
varied and profound, and he had at all times the command over them. Like the cele- 
brated Robert Hall, he appears to have evinced an early taste for metaphysical studies, 
and to have thoroughly understood the various systems of philosophy. To this circum- 
stance was probably owing much of that clearness, precision and facility, which enabled 
him at once to separate truth from error, and to wield his arguments with irresistible effect. 

As an instructor, Dr. Maxcy possessed unusual ability, and, perhaps, no Presi- 
dent of any college in the United States ever enjoyed a higher reputation. The pre- 
cision and perspicuity with which he could develop his ideas in the most appropriate 
language, rendered him peculiarly qualified for this office. His numerous pupils all 
unite in pronouncing him, as a teacher, one of the most perfect models. 

As a preacher. Dr. Maxcy's reputation did not depend so much on any one 
striking excellence, as on the union of many. These were so happily combined, that 
it woald be difficult to say which was the most prominent His conceptions were 
vigorous, and were expressed in a pure, terse and eloquent style. A profound and 
breathless silence, and intense feeling, and a spirit of holy elevation, were the almost 
invariable attendants of his preaching. 

In the character of Dr. Maxcy, mental and moral worth were happily combined. 
And so long as genius, hallowed and sublimed by piety, shall command veneration, he 
will be remembered in his country as a star of the first magnitude. 

*Dr. Maxcy -was born in. Attleboro, Massaclmsetts, September 2, 1768. He married Susan 
Hopkins, of Providence, a daugbter of Commodore Esek Hopkins. Tbey had several daugh- 
ters and four sons, all of whom were liberally educated. It is to be regretted that no painted 
canvas or sculptured marble exists to perpetuate tbe likeness of the second President of the 
College. 

4 



26 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

The Rev. Asa Messer succeeded Dr. Maxcy in the Presidency 
of the College, and held this office until 1826, a period of twenty- 
four years. At the age of nineteen he entered the Sophomore 
class, graduating under Manning in 1790. Soon afterwards he 
became interested in religious truth, and was baptized by Maxcy. 
He was elected a tutor of the College in 1791, and continued in 
this relation until 1796, when he was elected Professor of the 
Learned Languages. In 1799 he was appointed Professor of 
Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. He was thus connected 
with the Institution as student, tutor, Professor and President, 
thirty-nine years. Under his wise and skillful management the 
College prospered ; — its finances were improved ; its means of 
instruction were extended ; and the number of students was 
greatly augmented. 

It was soon after the beginning of Dr. Messer's administration 
that the College received its present name, in honor of its distin- 
guished benefactor, Nicholas Brown. Mr. Brown graduated in 
the class of 1786, being at the time but seventeen years of age. 
He commenced his benefactions in February, 1792, by presenting 
to the Trustees and Fellows of the College the sum of five hun- 
dred dollars, to be expended in the purchase of law books for the 
library. This he did, in the language of the letter announcing 
the donation, under a deep impression of the generous intentions 
of his honored father, deceased, towards the College, as well as 
from his own personal feelings towards the Institution in which 
he had received his education. In 1804, he presented to the Cor- 
poration the sum of five thousand dollars, as a foundation for a 
professorship of oratory and belles-lettres. It was on this occasion, 
in consideration of this donation, and of others that had been 
received from him and his kindred, that the name of the Institu- 
tion was changed, in accordance with a provision in its charter, 
from Rhode Island College to Brown University. 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 27 

The following is his letter to the Corporation : — 

Providence, September 6, 1804. 

GrENTLEMEN : — It IS not unknowti to you that I have long had an attachment to 
this Institution, as the place where my deceased brother Moses and myself received 
our education. This attachment derives additional strength, from the recollection that 
my late honored father was among the earliest and most zealous patrons of the College; 
and is confirmed by my regard for the cause of literature in general. Under these 
impressions I hereby make a donation of five thousand dollars to Rhode Island College, 
to remain in perpetuity as a fand for the establishment of a Professorship of Oratory 
and Belles-Lettres. The money will be paid next Commencement, and is to be vested 
in such funds as the Corporation shall direct for its augmentation to a sufficiency, in 
your judgment, to produce a competent annual salary for the within mentioned Profes- 
sorship. 

I am, very respectfully, Gentlemen, with my best wishes for the prosperity of the 
College, 

Your obedient friend, 

Nicholas Brown. 

In 1822, Mr. Brown erected at his own expense the second 
College building, which he presented to the Corporation, in a 
letter bearing date January 13, 1823. At his suggestion it was 
named "Hope College." in honor of his only surviving sister, 
Mrs. Hope Ives. In 1835 he erected the third building, which 
he also presented to the Corporation, with a request that it 
might be named "Manning Hall," in honor of the memory of his 
own distinguished instructor and revered friend, President Man- 
ning. Mr. Brown died September 27, 1841, at the age of sev- 
enty-two. A discourse commemorative of his character and life 
was delivered by President Wayland, in the University chapel, 
which discourse was afterwards published. The entire sum of 
his recorded benefactions and bequests to the University amounts 
to one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, assigning to the dona- 
tions of lands and buildings the valuation which was put upon 
them at the time they were made. "Many years," says Prof 
GammeU, " have now elapsed since he descended to the tomb, but 



28 BKOWN UNIVEKSITY. 

the monuments of his wise and pious benefactions are all around 
us, — in the University with which his name is associated; in the 
Butler Hospital for the Insane, and the Providence Athenseum, to 
whose founding he so largely contributed ; and in the churches, 
and colleges, and institutions of philanthropy over the whole land, 
to which he so often lent his liberal and most timely aid. So long 
as learning and religion shall have a place in the affections of men, 
these enduring memorials will proclaim his character, and speak 
his eulogy. Hi sanctissimi testes, hi maximi laudatores" A few 
years before his death, at the annual meeting of the Corporation 
in 1835, Mr. Brown was formally requested to sit for his likeness, 
which was taken, at full length, by Harding, one of the most cele- 
brated of American artists. It now graces the collection of por- 
traits in Ehode Island Hall. The visitor will gaze upon it with 
renewed interest as successive years roll on. It is a matter of 
regret that the portraits of his worthy sire and ancestors can- 
not be placed by his side.* The accompanying likeness was 
engraved, it may be added, from a photograph taken from Hard- 
ing's portrait. 

In 1826, Dr. Messer resigned the Presidency of Brown Uni- 
versity, in the following characteristic letter, addressed to the 
Hon. Samuel Eddy, Secretary of the Corporation: — 

September, 23, 1826. 
Dear Sir : — I take the liberty to request you to inform the Honorable Corporation 
of Brown University, that I ret^ign my ofiBce in that Institution. On leaving an office 
which I have held twenty-four years, and a College of which I have been either an 
officer or a pupil thirty-nine years, I, though inclined to make many reflections, shall 
now make only this one ; that probably I feel somewhat like one who is breaking up 

*Mr. Brown's great ancestor was the Eev. Chad Brown, the friend and associate of 
Koger Williams, and the pastor of the first and only Baptist church in the infant settle- 
ment. A full account of him, and of his descendants, including the " Four Brothers," 
Nicholas, Joseph, John, and Moses Brown, to whom the College is so much indebted for its 
early prosperity and success, is given in Manning and Brown University, pages 143-176. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 29 

long dear tnendships, and bidding the world farewell. I pray that, when the time for 
doing this shall actually arrive, and it may arrive in a day, or an hour, I may be 
enabled to think that I have served my God with as much faithfulness as I have served 
Brown University ; and I also pray that He, who was the Grod of Abraham, and, if I 
may be allowed to utter a little heresy, the God of Jesus Christ, may have that seat of 
literature, and all its patrons, as well as you and me, in His holy keeping. 

Asa Messer. 

Possessing, says his biographer, a handsome competence, the 
fruit in part of his habitual frugality. Dr. Messer was enabled to 
pass the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of independent 
leisure. After his retirement from collegiate toils, his fellow-citi- 
zens of Providence elected him, for several years, to responsible 
municipal trusts ; and these trusts he discharged with his custo- 
mary punctuality and uprightness. He died October 11, 1836, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age.* 

Of my old President, says Dr. Sears, in his recent Centennial Discourse, I 
caonot speak but vrith respect and affection. He had a vigorous and manly style of 
thought, and was a genial, pleasant teacher. In discipline, in his best days, he was 
adi'oit, having a keen insight into human nature, and touching at will, skillfully, all the 
chords of the student's heart. Rarely was he mistaken in the character of a young 
man, or in the motive to which he apjjealed, in order to influence him. Foibles and 
weaknesses, he treated with some degree of indulgence ; but vice and wiUfal wrong, 
he treated with unsparing severity. 

In government, he followed no abstract principles, — which so often mislead the 
theorist, — but depended on his good sense in each case, giving considerable scope to 
views of expediency. The student who attempted to circumvent him, was sure to be 
outwitted in the end. On account of his great shrewdness, he was sometimes called 
" the cunning President." One of the many anecdotes related of him is, that he 
kept in his room a bottle of picra for sick students ; and that every one who came to 

*Dr. Messer was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, in tlie year 1769. He married 
Deboiah. Angell, by whom he had a son that died in infancy, and three daughters. The 
youngest daughter was married to the late Hon. Horace Mann, and the second to Sidney 
Williams, Esq., who now resides on the paternal estate. The eldest daughter was never 
married. The remains of Dr. Messer lie interred in the North Burial Ground, and over 
them a handsome monument has been erected to his memory. It is a subject of regret 
that no portrait or engraving exists to perpetuate his likeness. 



30 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

him to be excused from duty on account of headaches, found it necessary to swallow a 
dose before leaving the room. * * * * * 

His individuality, both in body aqd mind, was strongly marked. He was alto- 
gether unpoetical in his nature. His language had no coloring of the fancy ; but was 
naked, plain and strong. His economy, which was proverbial, extended even to his 
words. His tendencies were rather to science than literature, and in the latter part of 
his life, as is often the case, more to practical wisdom and prudence, than to either. * * 

His was not a mind to leave its own impress on that of his pupils. As he was 
independent himself, so he wished his pupils to be. He had no imitators, he wished 
to have none. The many eminent men educated under him had no other resemblance 
to each other, than freedom from authority. There is among them no uniform style of 
thought, resulting from its being run in the same mould. Even among the under- 
graduates, there was a personal independence of character and thought, and a manli- 
ness of deportment and self-respect that gave a certain air of dignity to the two upper 
classes. Each man was expected to develop and retain his own individuality, without 
being schooled down to tameness, either by the Faculty or by the collective will of 
his fellow-students. If he did right, it was his own act ; if he did wrong, he would 
scorn to say that it was because he did not dare to do right. 

Another portraiture is from the pen of the Kev. Dr. E. A. 
Park, of Andover, who was also one of his pupils : — 

No one who has ever seen him can ever forget him. His individuality was made 
unmistakable by his physical frame. This, while it was above the average height, was 
also in breadth an emblem of the expansiveness of his mental capacity. A " long 
head" was vulgarly ascribed to him, but it was breadth that marked his forehead; 
there was an expressive breadth in his maxillary bones ; his broad shoulders were a 
sign of the weight which he was able to bear ; his manner of walking was a noticeable 
symbol of the reach of his mind ; he swung his cane far and wide as he walked, and 
no observer would doubt that he was an independent man ; he gesticulated broadly as 
he preached ; his enunciation was forcible, and now and then overwhelming, sometimes 
shrill, but was characterized by a breadth of tone and a prolonged emphasis which 
added to its momentum, and made an indelible impress on the memory. Flis pupils, 
when they had been unfaithful, trembled before his expansive frown, as it portended a 
rebuke which would well-nigh devour them ; and they felt a dilating of the whole soul, 
when they were greeted with his good and honest and broad smile. * * * * * As a 
son, brother, husband, father, he was the central object of attraction, and the beams of 
joy and love uniformly radiated from him over all the inmates of his happy home. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 31 

Dr. Messer was succeeded in the Presidency by the Rev. 
Francis Wayland, who was unanimously elected to this office on 
the 13th of December, 1826. Mr. Wayland was born in the city 
of New York, March 11, 1796, entered the Sophomore class of 
Union College in 1811, and was graduated in 1813, at the early 
age of seventeen. He then entered the office of Dr. Eli Burritt, 
of Troy, and studied medicine three years. As he was about to 
engage in the practice of his profession, he became convinced 
that it was his duty to prepare himself for the Christian ministry, 
and accordingly, in 1816, he repaired to the Andover Theological 
Seminary. Here he remained one year, receiving instruction 
from that eminent teacher, Moses Stuart, whom he ever afterwards 
regarded with filial respect and love. Having been appointed a 
tutor in Union College, he returned to his Alma Mater, and gave 
instruction in several departments, retaining the office to which 
he had been appointed, four years. Associated with him as tutor 
was the late Bishop Potter, of Pennsylvania, to whom through 
life he remained sincerely attached. His residence at Union Col- 
lege brought him into intimate relations with his esteemed Presi- 
dent, Dr. Nott, for whom he always cherished feelings of gratitude 
and profound veneration. In 1821, he accepted a call to the 
pastorate of the First Baptist Church, Boston, over which he was 
ordained August 21. In the month of February, 1827, he 
entered upon his duties as President of Brown University. 

Dr. Wayland was now in the fullness of his vigor and strength, 
being about to enter upon his thirty-second year. Few men 
possessed such a capacity for labor, and fewer still labored with 
such untiring energy and zeal. The circumstances in which he 
found the College were by no means favorable. It was scantily 
endowed, had no philosophical or chemical apparatus worthy of 
the name, its library was small, and it had no adequate means of 
enlarging the facilities for instruction. Its morale, too, needed 



32- BROWN UNIYEESITY. 

elevating. From causes which we may not now stay to explain, 
the last two or three years of Dr. Messer's administration had 
been marked by idleness and dissipation on the part of many of 
the students. Influences beyond the reach of the President ren- 
dered salutary discipline almost impossible, and the results were 
disastrous alike to the moral and intellectual character of the 
young men under his care. Dr. Wayland at once instituted the 
most rigid and healthful discipline. His reputation as a scholar 
and a divine had preceded his entrance upon his appointed work. 
" The Moral Dignity of the Missionary Enterprise " had gained 
for him a wide celebrity, and prepared the way for all his sub- 
sequent influence and success. The students were fired with 
his spirit of industry and earnestness, and rejoiced in the bene- 
ficial results of the new administration. In 1835, the "Elements 
of Moral Science " was published, and gave to the author, and to 
the University over which he presided, a greatly increased repu- 
tation. It was at once introduced into most of our American 
colleges, and became the standard text-book in its department. 
Dr. Wayland now sought to supply some of the deficiencies of 
the Institution. Its generous patrons and friends nobly responded 
to the appeals which he and his associate Professors sent out. 
Large additions were made to the philosophical and chemical 
apparatus ; a library fund of twenty-five thousand dollars was 
established, and one of the choicest collections of books in the 
country was secured; Manning Hall, containing the spacious 
chapel and the fine library room, and Rhode Island Hall, with its 
convenient lecture rooms, were erected ; the College grounds 
were tastefully laid out and planted with elms, and the President's 
mansion was built. 

But favored as Brown University was by the munificence of 
its friends and patrons ; strict as was its discipline ; and thor- 
ough as was the instruction its Professors gave, it did not realize 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 33 

the ideal formed by the earnest and practical mind of the Presi- 
dent. The number of its students did not increase ; and with its 
enlarged expenditure, it was not self-supporting. Despairing of 
improvement so long as the existing system was perpetuated, Dr. 
Wayland, in 1849, resigned the Presidency. He, however, con- 
sented to reconsider his purpose. His views of the needs of the 
College, and of the times, were presented to the Corporation, and 
adopted by them ; and it was resolved to attempt to raise a fund 
for the purpose of realizing his theory of education. One hun- 
dred and twenty-five thousand dollars were cheerfully subscribed; 
and what is called "the New System" commenced. Its main 
features were, the provision of such new courses of study in 
science as the practical spirit of the age demanded ; the abandon- 
ment of a fixed term of four years of study for students, and in 
place of it the pursuit of any selected course for such a length 
of time as the student's circumstances required ; the privilege of 
selecting such studies as the student desired, and of pursuing 
such, and as many studies, as, under the guidance of his guar- 
dians, he might wish ; the adjustment of the Bachelor's and the 
Master's degree, so as to represent a difference of attainment, 
such degrees being conferred on candidates producing certifi- 
cates of proficiency in certain prescribed and sometimes inter- 
changeable studies, and passing a special examination on some 
additional study ; and the guaranty of a fixed salary to each 
Professor, to which should be added such sums as resulted from 
the sale of tickets to his lectures, the relative amount being thus 
determined somewhat by the attractiveness of his department. 
From 1850 to 1855, the College was carried on under this sys- 
tem, with but slight modifications. The degree of A. B. was 
conferred on students who had pursued prescribed studies, which 
represented a course of three years. The degree of A. M. was 
conferred, not in course, but on those whose prescribed studies 

5 



34 BROWN UNIYEESITY. 

represented a four years course. The degree of Bachelor of 
Philosophy was given to proficients in certain appointed scientific 
studies. Instruction was given in practical sciences. The num- 
ber of students greatly increased, and a new impulse was given 
to the College. 

In 1855, Dr. Way land, wearied with the cares of a long and 
honored Presidency, extending over a period of twenty-eight and 
a half years, having inaugurated his cherished plan of collegiate 
instruction, resigned his office. The following letter announcing 
his resignation was presented to the Corporation at a special 
meeting held on the 21st of August: — 

Brown University, August 20th, 1855. 
To THE Corporation op Brown University : 

Gentlemen : — After more than twenty-eight years service, the conviction is pressed 
upon me that relaxation and change of labor have become to me a matter of indispen- 
sable necessity. These, I am persuaded, cannot be secured while I hold the office with 
which you have so long honored me. I therefore believe it to be my duty to resign the 
offices of President of Brown University and Professor of Moral and Intellectual 
Philosophy. If it be agreeable to you, I desire that this resignation may take place 
at the close of the present Collegiate year. 

In sundering the ties which have so long bound us officially together, I shall not 
attempt to express the sentiment of gratitude and respect which I entertain towards 
the gentlemen of the Corporation of Brown University. For more than a quarter of 
a century we have labored together in promoting the cause of good learning, and espe- 
cially in advancing the interests of this Institution. Those who, like myself were 
young men when I entered upon office, are with me beginning to feel the approaches 
of age. Yet during this long period no spirit of dissension has either divided our 
counsels or enfeebled our exertions. We have beheld this University year after year 
advancing in reputation and usefulness, and diffiising more and more widely the bless- 
ings of education. Let us thank God for giving us this opportunity of conferring 
benefits on mankind, and for crowning our labors with so large a measure of success. 

Permit me. Gentlemen, i,o tender to each one of you the assurances of my grateful 
regard, and believe me to be 

With the highest respect, your obedient servant, 

F. Wayland. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 35 

The feelings of the Corporation at this announcement, found 
fit expression in eloquent and forcible remarks on the part of the 
Chancellor, Dr. Samuel Bojd Tobey : — 

Gentlemen of the Corporation : — 

We all feel sadness at this hour. Our present official connection with President 
Wayland is soon to terminate. The important services he has rendered this University 
for nearly twenty-nine years press upon our memory. His unwearied exertions — his 
zeal — his power in promoting the interests of this Institution of learning, are vividly 
before us. His name has been a tower of strength. But with these convictions we 
are bound also to remember that this resignation is with him no sudden movement. 
For several years he has apprehended that the time was near when it would be right 
for him to ask to be released from his present position, that he might devote a portion 
of the days yet allotted him to the fulfillment of other duties, which he feels himself 
called upon to perform for the advancement of literature, the promotion of religion, and 
the good of his fellow-citizens. He has been admonished that continued persistence in 
one field of labor may interrupt the vigorous and healthy action of the best balanced 
physical and mental powers. He believes that the time has now fully come for him to 
retiie from the Presidency of this University. We will not attempt to detain him. 
Let us rather thank him for the sacrifice he has made in giving so many of the best 
years of his life to the interests of the University, not doubting he will find a rich 
reward in the consciousness that he has been eminently useful. Let us invoke for him 
the blessing of Heaven, and pray that his life may long be spared, that his pen may 
continue to record his well-considered and instructive thoughts, that his voice may still 
be often heard, fearless in condemning error — eloquent in the support of truth. 

The foregoing remarks were accompanied by suitable resolu- 
tions, which were presented to the President by the Chancellor 
on the day of Commencement, and duly recorded by the Secre- 
tary of the Corporation. At a meeting of the alumni, held in 
Manning Hall, on Tuesday, September 4, 1855, it having been 
announced that Dr. Wayland had resigned his office, the follow- 
ing resolutions, presented by Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas, and 
seconded by Hon. John H. Clifford, were unanimously adopted : — 

Resolvnd, That the alumni of this University have heard with profound regret 
that Francis Wayland has retired from the office of its President. 



36 BEOWN UNIVEKSITY. 

Resolved, That his clear, strong mind, his accurate learning, his vigorous common 
sense, his energetic will, his thorough knowledge of the interests and wants of the 
country and of the age, and his endowment, in so large a measure, with that rarest of 
all faculties, the power to teach, to cast other minds in the mould of his own, admirably 
fitted him for the duties of his great office. And that we review to-day with pleasure 
and pride, his long, rich and successful administration, gratefully recalling his generous, 
unwearied self-devotion to the welfare of the University, the new and lasting impulse 
he gave to all her interests, the enlargement of her sphere and capacities of usefulness, 
the impression of his own mind and character he made upon so many of his pupils, 
the respect and honor he has acquired in the world of letters and reflected upon the 
University. 

Resolved, That those of us whose great privilege it was to have been his pupils, 
bring to him the offering of filial love and gratitude. We thank him for the thorough 
fidelity with which he discharged his trust, for the vigorous rliscipline of mind and 
heart he sought to give us, for his affectionate interest in our progress, for his words of 
wisdom, counsel and reproof, and for the beautiful illustration of a true life given to 
God and duty, which his own example furnished us. 

Resolved, That Dr. Wayland carries with him to his retirement, our earnest wish 
that there may be a long and happy evening to a manly and useful life, that he may 
be yet spared to render eminent service to the cause of religion and letters, and that 
the day may be far distant when the voice of affectionate greeting shall be changed to 
that of eulogy. 

In presenting these resolutions to President Wayland, at the 
Commencement dinner, September 5th, Judge Thomas addressed 
him substantially as follows : — 

I rise, Mr. President, for the discharge of a painful and yet a grateful duty. The 
alumni of the University, having heard of your resignation of the office you have so 
long held with signal honor to yourself and signal advantage to her, met yesterday to 
give utterance to the feelings which that event naturally awakened. They passed 
resolutions (would they were worthier) expressing their sense of the value of your 
services to the College and of the loss she has sustained by your retirement. They 
instructed their committee (Gov. Clifford, of New Bedford, Hon. Mr. Bradley of this 
city, and myself^ to present these resolutions to you to-day, the last time we shall have 
the pleasure of meeting you in this near and interesting relation. 

It is but little to say, that these resolutions were passed unanimously — there was 
but one mind and one heart in the assembly, and that mind and heart were but one — 
for tlfe calmest result of the judgment was in harmony with the warmest feelings of the 



HISTOEIOAL SKETCH. 37 

heart. We did not, however, forget that we were speaking of and to the living, and 
in avoiding what may be said to be the natxiral warmth of eulogy — that, we trust, far 
distant service to come from the trembling lips of some later pupils — we may have 
assumed a tone too subdued. 

One of these resolutions comes from those whose privilege it was to have been your 
immediate pupils. Of that resolution, as one of the earlier of those pupils, I will 
say a word. I should be sorry if I thought myself capable of making a formal speech 
in an hour like this. You are, Mr. President, too largely my creditor for me to judge 
calmly and wisely. I cannot pay the debt. I do not ask you to forgive it. I can 
and will confess it. More than twenty years ago it ripened into a judgment, and yet 
no lapse of time will bar it. Hundreds around you owe the like debt. It grows ever. 
It is an investment for all time. If you see in it, as I know you do, the true riches, 
more than the wealth of an Astor is yours. Its bonds are stronger than those of the 
railroad, its pulse is quicker tlian that of the telegraph. It is the tribute of loving 
hearts. It is the debt of filial gratitude. 

I 'came here, to-day, Mr. President, to say now what I have often said at home and 
to my own pupils, and what this seems to me a fitting occasion to say more publicly. 

It has been my privilege for three years to be your pupil. I have seen and have 
had other eminent masters ; Joseph Story, whose name is identified with the jurispru- 
dence of his country ; John Hooker A.shmun, who, an invalid for years, and dying at 
the early age of thirty-three, as a lawyer, left behind him no superior in Massachusetts, 
whose mind had the point of the diamond and the clearness of its waters ; Pliny 
Merrick, who graces the bench on which I have the honor to sit, but of whom my 
near relation to him forbids me to speak as I would. A quarter of a century has 
passed since I left these walls with your blessing. I have seen something of men and 
of the world since. I esteem it to-day the happiest event of my life that brought me 
here, the best gift of an ever kind Providence to me, that I was permitted for three 
years to sit at the feet of your instruction. 

Others may speak and think of the writer and scholar, my tribute is to the great 
teacher ; and he is not the great teacher who fills the mind of his pupil from the 
affluence of his learning or works most for him, but who has the rarer faculty of draw- 
ing out and developing the mind of another, and making him work for himself. Rarest 
of all Grod's gifts to men. Great statesmen, great orators, great jurists are successful 
and useful in the degree that they are great teachers. Office of unequalled dignity 
and worth — even our divine Lord and Master we call the " Grreat Teacher." 

Mr. President, if I have acquired any consideration in my own beloved Common- 
wealth, if I have worthily won any honor, I can and do with a grateful heart bring 
them to-day and lay them at your feet; Teucro duce et auspice Teucro. 



38 • BROWNUNIVEESITY. 

During Dr. Wayland's retirement he pursued his favorite 
studies, and prepared works for the press, such as " Notes on the 
Principles and Practices of Baptists," " Sermons to the Churches," 
"Letters on the Ministry of the Gospel," and "Memoir of the 
Christian Labors of Chalmers." He revised also his Moral Phi- 
losophy, a new edition of which appeared almost simultaneous with 
his death. He was instrumental in organizing the Brown Street 
Baptist Church, identifying himself with the movement at great 
personal sacrifices. In the early part of 1857, he was invited by 
the First Baptist Church and Society to supply the pulpit and 
perform pastoral duties. The conviction had been growing upon 
him that he had perhaps erred in leaving the pulpit for the 
Presidency of the College, and he entered upon his new duties 
with all the ardor and zeal of a young man. He preached with 
great earnestness and success until June, 1858, when failing 
health compelled him to retire from active exertions in the cause 
which he loved so well. He died at his residence in Providence, 
on Saturday afternoon, September 30, 1865, after a brief illness 
of a week, having had, like the lamented Manning, an attack 
of apoplexy or paralysis. His funeral was on the Wednesday 
following, in the Baptist Church. The spacious house was 
crowded with mourners, many ministers and alumni of the Col- 
lege coming from Boston and New York, and from more distant 
points, to pay their last tribute of affection and respect. Thou- 
sands, during the hour preceding the services, gazed with sad 
hearts and tearful eyes upon his majestic form and noble fea- 
tures, now calm in the repose of death. From the eloquent and 
truthful remarks upon this occasion of the Rev. Dr. Caswell, his 
life-long associate and most intimate friend, we may be allowed 
to quote the following: — 

His intellect was clear and vigorous, his perceptive powers quick and discriminating, 
his analysis searching and exhaustive, his generalizations careful, his power of illustra- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 39 

tion almost unrivalled ; but after all, it was his moral power that left the deepest impres- 
sion upon those who knew him, or who in any way came within the sphere of his 
personal influence. In every assembly of citizens, whether for deliberation upon grave 
public ajBTairs, or for the founding and endowment of hospitals, or providing shelter for 
orphans, or a home for the aged and infirm, his presence was felt as no other man's 
was. All waited to hear the utterance of his voice. In every enterprise among us 
for the moral and religious improvement of the community, in every charity for the 
relief of the poor, in every effort to succor the fallen and reclaim the wanderer, his 
counsel was sought almost as an indispensable condition of success. It may justly be 
said, that he stood among us as the first citizen of Rhode Island. 

If we look for the source of this extraordinary power, I think it may be said to 
spring primarily and mainly from a profound conviction of religious duty. This was 
the broad basis of his ch;iracter. This seemed to control all the other elements of his 
nature, and bring them all into harmonious action, and concentrate them all on a great 
purpose, that of making men better ; nay, bringing them to the knowledge of the 
truth as it is in Jesus, and thus making them meet for the Kingdom of Heaven. I 
need not say in this presence, that Dr. Wayland believed in a Divine revelation. He 
believed, in his inmost soul, that Jesus Christ spoke as never man spoke, and that he 
spoke with authority. And hence his profound reverence for the teachings of the 
New Testament. When he had ascertained the meaning of the sacred text, he held 
that meaning as a part of Grod's unalterable truth. He governed himself by it. He 
pressed it upon the consideration of others. He admittel nothing as a substitute for it. 
Nothing could supplant it. He hold it with the tenacity of a martyr. He believed 
that there was but one remedy for human wickedness and guilt, and that was, repent- 
ance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I may say that the cross of 
Christ stood ever before him as the symbol of an undying love and glorious redemp- 
tion ; and when his great soul, wrapped in devotion, soared highest above the beggarly 
elements of the world, it approached nearest to the foot of the cross. 

The writer of this historical sketch can never forget the joy 
that beamed in President Wayland's eye and irradiated his coun- 
tenance, when, as a student, he called at his room and informed 
him that a class-mate, now a distinguished Professor in a neigh- 
boring college, who had been known as a skeptic in his religious 
views, was deeply anxious about his spiritual welfare ; — and it is 
pleasant to recall a conversation had with him but a few days 
previous to his final sickness, on the importance of simple Bible 



40 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

instruction in our Sunday schools, and the need of a suitable 
question book for this purpose, which, he stated, he had under- 
taken to prepare. 

The following description of Dr. Wayland's personal appear- 
ance, character, and habits, we take from a sermon preached by 
his brother-in-law, the Rev. Dr. C. A. Bartol, of Boston, October 
8,1865:— 

His nature was as extraordinary as his character was rare, He was a king by 
divine anointing — one of the few whose aspect drew attention and fixed every eye. 
From some persons, we know not how, by a sort of elemental energy, a thrill passes. 
A slight shudder, half of fear, half of strange attraction, goes through us in their 
presence. Besides Daniel Webster, I know not who else of our citizens was so 
charged for this galvanic shock, which his features conducted. His brow, at the orbit 
of the eye, might have served as an artist's model for Jupiter ; and I am not surprised 
at the story, that, when there was presented to him an exorbitant bill in a foreign 
land, he looked from the paper to the chafferer, and without speech, the latter fled in 
terror out of the room. The judgment-seat shone in his eyes for all who ever entered 
his company. 

But the main point is his native energy. What Grod willed in him, he willed for 
himself The first quality I shall specify, had a right to grow in such a soil. It was 
his justice. He wrote on moral science, and he was the majesty of the moral law in 
his own person. He walked and spoke and looked and did what he penned. In an 
acquaintance of nearly thirty years, I have observed in him no deviation from rectitude. 

So full of it was he, that he impressed it irresistibly on others. Combined with 
singular courage and candor, it made him the governor he was. Born to command, 
of an impassioned soul, with inward fire to drive the bullet and edge the bolt of truth, 
his conceptions had in them a certain electric swiftness and military force ; but right- 
eousness was their range. 

Nobody could doubt he was President.. This gift, thus nursed into a virtue, was 
the secret of his extraordinary success in administration. I learn, from one of his 
best students, that, in Brown University, over which he presided for almost a score 
and a half of years, the new hand at the helm was felt at once. An instantaneous 
magnetic stroke passed through the buildings. Every inmate was aware of a stringent 
ar d wholesome demand of new discipline. Six months had not passed, before the 
College had risen as by hydrostatic pressure. From no indulgence, but fidelity, ran 
his scholars' life-long love. 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 41 

It was this justice which made him such a foe of human slavery. In simple, 
searching periorls, he pointed out its iniquities thirty years ago ; though he was, from 
the same cause, anxious that the evil system should be done away only by means that 
were lawful and good ; and his letters to Dr. Fuller were a valuable contribution to 
that end. He believed in equity. " Corruption wins not more than honesty," was 
his favorite quotation. But he was no less kind than just. His ethics were set ojff 
with such a mien of strictness, that some thought him austere. But that was only the 
outside. His benevolence was deeper, if possible, than his conscience. He loved to 
see people about him happy, and to make them so. His glance, that could smite like 
a cannon-ball, could be gentle too. His voice, which could intone a divine authority, 
melted with a goodness more divine. I have scarcely listened, in another, to similar 
accents, which, in private converse, of social and domestic scenes, had a wonderful 
blending of softness and strength, resembling the mighty and mellow break of the 
surge on the shore. Mercy was the ground -swell ever heaving up. He was always 
aiming to bless somebody ; and we cannot count the number of those he blessed. If 
visitors called at his house during his absence, he would, on his return, inquire : " Did 
you take them into the garden ? Did you give them some flowers and some fruit ? " 
Benignity looked out of those keen eyes, and tenderness sat on the lips, which you 
marvelled could unite such sweetness with their force. 

His mood was as perfect as his disposition was fine. I mean he was not, like some ' 
kind-hearted men, subject to irritation. Out of temper, he was, I think, never beheld. 
A hasty word, an uncharitable judgment, I never heard from his mouth. It was not 
because there was no beat in his soul. A tropical climate prevailed there ; but he was 
a Christian, a great convert of the Pauline stamp. He was so poised he never needed 
to be on his guard. You would as soon have feared losing the centre of gravity in the 
globe. He was a man of weight. " When he was in the city," said one, " we always 
knew it." All the potencies of passion were under his control, as a tame creature 
keeps not the track like one under the cui'b. The lion was unmistakable under that 
tawny skin and shaggy hair ; but he had lain down with the lamb ; and that lamb was 
the Lamb of Grod ; and, if the lion's voice was heard, it was no growl, prelude to the 
devouring leap, but the roar of indignation for a great cause injured or endangered, 
which made the land resound. He was meek ; yet his patience under reproach was 
not that he lacked a quick sense of what was due to himself, but that he forebore to 
urge it. Sometimes a bit of friendly irony escaped. When one said to him, "I 
cannot ask you, with your views, into my pulpit," he simply replied, " Were it not as 
well to wait till you know I want to enter it?" But he was willing to be chastened, 
and he told me he was of Dr. Freeman's mind, that a stout mortification occasionally did 
a man good. Yet no self-denial ever frayed his individuality. As the size of a pyra- 
mid or mountain is not incompatible with the definiteness of its lines, so, through all 
6 



42 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

the breadth of his sympathies, stood the independence of bis mind. Confessed leader 
of one of the largest religious denominations in this country, be never lost himself in 
the million of bis followers. No recluse thinker or transcendental essayist was less 
conventional, or stood stronger on bis own feet. He was like an embodied law of 
nature, a principle of light and life and elevation to his sect, while be was Catholic to 
all parties ***** 

Another virtue in him was his worh. In no man's fibre was it ever more stamped. 
Of what is called terrible toiling, be was a case. If he made any mistake, it was his 
disallowance of recreation. No theatre, no opera, no concert, no dance for him! His 
constant look was as one bent to the task, buckling to the oar in a race. I asked him 
what relaxation was allowed to a minister. He smiled and said, " A walk." When 
others went a journey, or took a vacation, or staid among the mountains, or by the sea, 
he remained at home, as in term-time, at bis desk. His capacity of persistence I was 
tempted to envy; but, if I remonstrated with him, be would say, gravely, "It is 
about as well." He chose a common room, like any under-graduate, within the 
College precincts, for bis study. Hot summer afternoons, I have seen him there, 
busy in original composition, steadily writing and perspiring, when most men would 
have considered the stints of the day over. In the morning he would go, for an hour 
or two, to work in his garden, more vigorously than anybody you employ for such a 
purpose, and as expertly as if gardening were all his business ; for no gardener can 
show in bis grounds a handsomer horticultural monument than still stands of him. He 
told me he beUeved in that sort of exercise which was also productive labor ; and be 
alternated this effort of the muscles, with equally severe exertion of the brain. We 
cannot be saved by our works, say apostle and saint ; but if any man could, it was 
Dr. Wayland. How often I have seen him, spade in hand, advising some caller, who 
bad pursued him from the bouse ! As a specimen of physical, intellectual, and moral 
ability to achieve, where shall we find his peer?* 

A most excellent discourse in commemoration of President 
Wayland, was delivered before the alumni and friends of the 
University, Tuesday, September 4, 1866, by Prof George I. Chace, 
LL. D. ; which discourse has since been published in a pamphlet 

* The remains of Dr. Wayland lie interred in the North Burial Ground, where also are 
the remains of Presidents Manning and Maxcy. Over them the family have recently 
erected to his memory a substantial granite monument or obelisk. During his pastorate in 
Boston, he married Lucy Lincoln, of that city, sister of the Hon. Heman Lincoln. Two 
sons, the fruits of this marriage, are living, Judge Francis Wayland, of New Haven, Con- 
necticut, and the Rev. Prof. Heman L. Wayland, of Kalamazoo College, Michigan. His 
second wife was Mrs. Sage, of Boston, who, with her son, Howard Wayland, survives him. 




bvHAWit. Ill Smith fi'om s Photoe 




^VTr, 




HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 43 

form. The accompanying likeness was engraved from a photo- 
graph, taken in the latter part of the year 1862. 

Dr. Wayland was succeeded in the Presidency by the Rev. 
Barnas Sears, who was elected to this office by a unanimous vote 
of the Corporation, at the special meeting to which we have 
already referred, held on the 21st of August, 1855. Mr. Sears 
was born in Sandisfield, Massachusetts, on the 19th of November, 
1802. In 1822, he entered the Sophomore class of Brown Uni- 
versity, and graduated in 1825, at the age of twenty-three. His 
class numbered forty-eight, being the largest class that has ever 
gone out from the Institution during its entire history. Having 
finished a course of theological study at Newton, Massachusetts, he, 
in 1829, became the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Hartford, 
Connecticut, where he remained two years. At the expiration 
of this period he accepted an appointment to a professorship in 
the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, now Madison 
University, New York. In 1833 he embarked for Europe, and 
spent several years in study at the Universities of Halle, Leipsic 
and Berlin. While here he laid the foundations for his excellent 
library, and acquired that taste for the German language and 
literature, which he has continued to cultivate with such earnest- 
ness and enthusiasm. Upon his return to this country he was 
appointed to a professorship in the Theological Seminary at New- 
ton, where he remained twelve years ; during the latter part of 
this period he was President of the Institution. Upon the resig- 
nation of the late Horace Mann, in 1848, he was made Secretary 
and Executive Agent of the Massachusetts Board of Education. 
This responsible position he filled with distinguished honor and 
usefulness for a period of seven years. In these several situa- 
tions, all of them connected with the interests of learning and 
religion, Dr. Sears had become widely known to the public, and 
especially to the religious denomination to which he is attached. 



44 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

By his professional labors and published writings he had acquired 
a high reputation for superior talents and varied scholarship; 
while his persuasive eloquence and genial manners had secured 
for him in all quarters a host of admiring friends. He was thus 
preeminently fitted to become the successor of Wayland, Messer, 
Maxcy, and Manning. 

Dr. Sears entered upon his duties at the beginning of the Fall 
term. The Chancellor of the Institution, Dr. Tobey, attended the 
services in the Chapel, and in a neat and appropriate speech intro- 
duced the new President to the gentlemen of the Faculty, and to 
the students. In his reply which follows, he gracefully struck the 
key note of his administration, — popular education, and an earn- 
est devotion to the interests of young men : — 

Young Gentlemen: — 

I am well aware of the grave nature of the duties which I have undertaken to 
discharge in accepting the office to which I have been called. My humble abilities, 
too favorably viewed by the Corporation and its official organ who has honored me with 
this presentation, shall be faithfully devoted to the interests of those committed to my 
charge. I am greatly encouraged by seeing around me a body of able, and, for the 
most part, experienced instructors, on whose counsel and cooperation I may safely rely. 
The general subject to which I am called to direct my attention is, indeed, not new. 
With education in some form, I have been occupied the greater part of my life. My 
interest in the subject is second to that of no one. I am deeply interested in young 
men at that period of life when their characters are formed. In you I see those, who 
have left their homes and the influence of daily parental example and counsel, perhaps 
for the first time. Certainly you are now in a situation which requires some indepen- 
dence of character. Your opinions are to be formed anew. Your intellects are to be 
exercised, and your minds intensely employed in academical study just at the period of 
their most rapid growth. The intellectual character here formed will probably continue 
through life. To do what I may to aid you in this important preparatory work will be 
the object of my highest ambition. I shall rely on the ingenuousness, characteristic of 
youth, for a reciprocity of feeling and action. While we seek only your good in the 
highest degree, on broad and generous principles, wc may safely trust that you, on 
your part, will pursue your studies with the same end in view. Yield yourselves, then, 
confidingly to that honorable career of intellectual and moral improvement in which it 



HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 45 

will be my delight to aid you, and spend these few golden years, devoted to liberal 
studies, in such a way that society at large, and yourselves individually, may long 
enjoy the benefit and rejoice in the fruits of it. 

The first decade of President Sears's administration extends 
through the financial crisis of 1857, and the long and terrible 
war with the South; — nevertheless, during this period the facili- 
ties for instruction have been increased ; an elegant and well- 
appointed Laboratory, for the department of Analytical Chemis- 
try, has been erected at the expense of liberal-minded citizens of 
Providence ; a system of scholarships for meritorious and indigent 
students has been inaugurated ; the Bowen Estate, so called, on 
the corner of George and Prospect streets, has, through the 
munificence of a member of the Corporation, been added to the 
College Green; the Institution has been brought into harmo- 
nious relations with the governments of the City and the State, 
by liberal concessions in the matter of taxation ; a debt of twenty- 
five thousand dollars has been extinguished ; and large additions 
have been made to the College funds. The "New System" intro- 
duced by his predecessor has been considerably modified. The 
increased opportunities for practical education are still offered. 
But inasmuch as it was found that, while the whole number of 
students in the partial course increased, those who pursued a full 
course diminished, — 361 students having entered in the years 
1850-54, while only 108 were graduated in the full course in the 
years 1854-58, — it was thought expedient to abandon the three 
years' course for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and to diminish- 
the prominence of the partial course. The course of study for 
academic degrees has therefore returned to its former order and 
limits. The Bachelor's degree in arts is given at the end of four 
years of prescribed study ; the Master's degree is conferred in 
course ; the Baccalaureate in Philosophy is retained as originally 
prescribed. 



46 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

The University has at present, besides a mansion for the 
President, and a grammar school building erected in 1810, 
five College buildings or halls, viz. : University Hall, built in 
1770, of brick, four stories high, 150 feet long and 46 feet wide, 
with a projection on the east and west sides of 10 feet by 33, 
containing 58 rooms for officers and students ; Hope College, 
built in 1822, of brick, four stories high, 120 feet long and 40 
wide, containing 48 rooms ; Manning Hall, built in 1834, of stone 
covered with cement, 90 feet in length by 42 in width, two stories 
high, containing the library room and the chapel ; Rhode Island 
Hall, built in 1840, of stone covered with cement, two stories 
high, 70 feet long by 42 wide, containing two lecture rooms with 
apparatus, an ample hall for the cabinet of mineralog}^, geology, 
etc., and a basement fitted up for chemical purposes ; and a Chemi- 
cal Laboratory, built in 1862, of Danvers pressed brick, two stories 
high, 50 feet long and 40 wide, with a projection on the east side 
of 35 by 55 feet. 

The College library, which from the beginning has been 
regarded by the friends of the Institution as of the highest 
importance, and which has always received a large share of their 
attention and liberality, contains thirty-five thousand carefully 
selected volumes, including a rich collection of rare and valuable 
pamphlets. It is open daily for the use of Professors, graduates 
and undergraduates, between the hours of nine and one. The 
College grounds comprise about fifteen acres, and are worth, at 
the present valuation of landed property in their immediate 
vicinity, upwards of half a million of dollars. These grounds 
include the University Grammar School lot, about 80 by 138 
feet; the President's mansion lot, 80 by 240 feet; the house 
lots bequeathed to the University by the Hon. Nicholas Brown, 
138 feet deep, and extending from a point 119 feet west of 
Thayer street, eastward to Hope street; the College Green 



-HISTORICAL SKETCH. 47 

in front of University Hall, the College Campus in the rear, 
and the College Park, extending from the Campus east to 
Thayer street. The College enclosure proper comprises the 
Green and the Campus, and is bounded in general by George, 
Prospect, Waterman and Thayer streets. The invested funds of 
the College amount to three hundred and twenty-five thousand 
dollars ; and vigorous efforts are being made to increase them to 
half a million. In this summary are comprised the original funds, 
amounting to $21,800 ; the Nicholas Brown professorship of ora- 
tory and belles-lettres, $13,000 ; the library fund, $25,000 ; the 
President's premium fund, $1,000 ; scholarships, $45,000 ; aid 
fund, $5,000; subscription fund for the "New System"; and the 
one hundred thousand dollars recently given to the College, by 
Messrs. William Sprague, William H. Reynolds, William S. Slater, 
Horatio N. Slater, and Earl P. Mason. 

From the triennial catalogue published in 1866, it appears 
that the number of graduates from the beginning is 2,267. In 
addition to these, many persons have received at the Institution 
a partial training, remaining within its walls, one, two, or three 
years, but without receiving any degree ; — thus making perhaps 
three thousand as the quota of educated men which the Univer- 
sity has furnished for the country and the world, during the first 
century of her existence. The academic year is divided into two 
terms, the first beginning on the first Wednesday in September, 
and continuing twenty weeks ; the second beginning three weeks 
after the close of the first, (about the middle of February,) and 
continuing twenty weeks, — to about the second week in July. 
A recess of one week occurs in the middle of each term. The 
annual Commencement is on the first Wednesday of Septem- 
ber. In the order and the course of study. Brown University 
does not now differ essentially from her sister colleges of the 
United States. Her Faculty consists of a President, who is also 



48 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, six Professors, 
three Instructors, and two assistant Instructors. A Librarian and 
a Eegister complete her list of ofl&cers. Retaining all that the 
times called for, and all that she found worthy in her " New Sys- 
tem," she proceeds, as of old, on the well-tried basis of a sound 
and thorough Christian, classical and scientific culture ; and offers 
and gives to her pupils an education in keeping with the spirit in 
which she was founded, and with the intentions . of those who 
have enriched her with ample means, and nurtured her with 
untiring devotion and zeal. 

An extract from President Sears's excellent discourse, delivered 
at the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the found- 
ing of the Institution, September 6, 1864, finds here an appropriate 
place. The author's predictions in regard to an observatory are, 
we are happy to add, in a fair way of being fulfilled. The Rev. 
Dr. Caswell, for so many years a Professor in the University, has 
taken this matter in hand, and has already, it is understood, 
secured liberal subscriptions for the purchase of a telescope and 
accompanying instruments, and for the erection of a suitable 
building. It is earnestly hoped that the picture of the future, so 
skillfully drawn by the President, will become a reality at some 
day not far removed from the present : — 

New aspects of the place will present themselves to the eye of the spectator who 
shall stand upon the College campus. As, out of the rough and rocky hill, where 
Manning took up his abode, with nothing to obstruct his view of the bay, and with 
only a pathway leading to the neighboring town, an enchanting sight of public build- 
ings, and private residences, and gardens, and broad and beautiful streets, now meets 
the eye ; so, at a future day, not very remote, one will see the vacant plat opposite 
our beautiful laboratory, occupied by a structure for a kindred purpose, rivalling it in 
beauty and excellence ; and in the rear of both, through a vista formed by them, or 
elsewhere, a magnificent fire-proof library building, worthy of the precious treasure 
which it is to protect. On some eminence, not far distant, may, perchance, be seen an 
observatory pointing its huge telescope to the heavens. Our city itself shall extend 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



49 



eastward, till it reach the river ; and, beyond this, shall rise numerous villas, fringing 
the town. 

Let the remaining parts of the picture be filled out by another hand, at some future 
time ; and, before withdrawing from this scene of our fancy, which is sure to be real- 
ized in some form similar to what is here sketched, let us leave a cordial welcome to 
those whom a revolving age shall bring to occupy our places, to the ministers and wit- 
nesses of further progress, to be followed, in turn, by others, who, in long succession, 
shall labor with new devotion and fervor, to perpetuate the blessings and increase the 
glory of our loved Alma Matek. 

The following presents in a tabular form the number of those 
who have graduated, from year to year, under the different 
Presidents: — 

manning's administration. 



1769, 


- - 7 


1773, 


- - 5 


1777, - - 7 


1787, 


- - 10 


1791, - 


- 16 


1770, 


- - 4 


1774, 


- - 6 


1782, - - 7 


1788, 


- - 20 






1771, 


- - 6 


1775, 


- - 10 


1783, - -' 6 


1789, 


- - 9 


Total, 


- 165 


1772, 


- - 6 


177G, 


- - 9 


1786, - - 15 


1790, 


- - 22 










maxcy's administration. 






1792, 


- - 17 


1795, 


- - 26 


1798, - - 18 


1801, 


- - 19 


Total, 


- 227 


1793, 


- - 12 


1796, 


- - 17 


1799, - - 24 


1802, 


- - 28 






1794, 


- - 20 


1797, 


- - 23 


1800, - - 23 




— 










messer's administration. 






1803, 


- 23 


1808. 


- - 33 


1813, - - 35 


1818, 


- - 18 


1823, - 


- 27 


1804, 


- - 22 


1809, 


- - 30 


1814, - - 47 


1819, 


- - 20 


1824, - 


- 41 


1805, 


- - 28 


1810, 


- - 20 


1815, - - 22 


1820, 


- - 29 


1825, - 


- 48 


1806, 


- - 19 


1811, 


- - 24 


1816, - - 33 


1821, 


- - 40 


1826, - 


- 28 


1807, 


- - 2B 


1812, 


- - 23 


1817, - - 25 


1822, 


- - 30 


Total, 


- 69^3 






wayland's administration. 






1827, 


- - 3011833, 


- - 20 


1839, - - 35 


1845, 


- - 28 


1851, - 


- 32 


1828, 


- - 25 


1834, 


- - 23 


1840, - - 36 


1846, 


- - 32 


1852, - 


- 38 


1829, 


- - 19 


1835, 


- - 15 


1841, - - 31 


1847, 


- - 33 


1853, - 


- 24 


1830. 


- - 20 


1836, 


- - 24 


1842, - - 35 


1848, 


- - 30 


1854, - 


- 40 


1831, 


- - 13 


1837, 


- - 38 


1843, - - 29 


1849, 


- - 27 


1855, - 


- 35 


1832, 


- - 23 


1838, 


- - 30 


1844, - - 26 


1850, 


- - 22 


Total, 


- 813 






SEARS'S administration. 






1856, 


- - 26 1859, 


- - 31 


1862, - - 25 


1865, 


- - 41 


Total, 


- 369 


1857, 


- - 30 1860, 


- - 29 


1863, - - 28 


1866, 


- - 42 






1858, 


- - 36 


11861, 
7 


- - 38 


1864, - - 43 











50 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

We may add, as a sort of appendix to the foregoing, a review 
of the triennial catalogue, to which reference has already been 
made. From the summary it appears that the entire number of 
the sons of Brown University, including not only graduates, but 
all who have been honored by the Board of Fellows with degrees, 
or received into her fellowship ad eundem, is 2,815; of whom 1,523 
are now living. These are scattered over all parts of the globe, 
and may be supposed to represent fairly the learned professions, 
and the various callings and pursuits of life. 

One of the oldest living graduates, if not the oldest, at the 
time when the catalogue was passing through the press, was the 
Hon. Ezekiel Whitman, of the class of 1795, for many years 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maine. He has since 
died, (August 1, 1866,) at his residence in East Bridgwater, 
Massachusetts, in the ninety-first year of his age. Among other 
Judges and Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, we notice the 
names of Samuel Eddy, James Burrill, Tristam Burges, Samuel 
Randall, Richard Ward Greene, Luke Drury, Job Durfee, Joseph 
Joslen, William R. Staples, Levi Haile, Samuel Ames, George A. 
Brayton, Alfred Bosworth, Charles S. Bradley, and Thomas Dur- 
fee, of Rhode Island ; Marcus Morton, Theron Metcalf, Charles E. 
Forbes, and Benjamin F. Thomas, of Massachusetts; Asa Aldis, of 
Vermont ; William L. Marcy, of New York ; Jabez Bowen, and 
John G. Polhill, of Georgia. To enumerate judges of the infe- 
rior courts, who have received their education at the University, 
would require more space than can well be spared. 

Among those who have filled the ofiice of Governor or Lieu- 
tenant-Governor in the several states, we notice in passing, the 
names of Samuel Coney, of Maine ; Jared Warner Williams, of 
New Hampshire ; John H. Clifford, John Reed, and Marcus Mor- 
ton, of Massachusetts ; James Fenner, Philip Allen, John Brown 
Francis, Jonathan R. Bullock, Nicholas Brown, William Greene, 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 51 

Elisha Dyer, Henry B. Anthony, and Samuel G. Arnold, of Rhode 
Island; Ebenezer Stoddard, of Connecticut; James Tallmadge, 
and William L. Marcy, of New York ; Andrew Pickens, of South 
Carolina ; and Pendleton Murrah, the rebel Governor of Texas. 

The first President of the College, as has already been stated 
in the beginning, was a member of Congress in 1786. Of his 
pupils, and those who have graduated under his successors, thirty- 
seven appear in the catalogue with the af&x "e Cong." to their 
names. The earliest is James Mitchell Varnum, of the class of 
1769, and the latest, Samuel Sullivan Cox, of the class of 1846. 
Eighteen of the graduates have been honored with a seat in the 
United States Senate, as follows : Theodore Foster, of the class 
of 1770; Dwight Foster, class of 1774; James Burrill, class of 
1788; James Fenner, class of 1789; James Brown Howell, class 
of 1789; William Hunter, class of 1791; John Holmes, class of 
1796; Nathan Fellows Dixon, class of 1799; Philip Allen, class 
of 1803 ; John Brown Francis, class of 1808 ; William Larned 
Marcy, class of 1808 ; John Hopkins Clarke, class of 1809 ; John 
Buggies, class of 1813 ; Jared Warner Williams, class of 1818 ; 
Lafayette Sabine Foster, class of 1828 ; Henj-y Bowen Anthony, 
class of 1833 ; Samuel Greene Arnold, class of 1841 ; and John 
Milton Thayer, class of 1841, recently elected Senator for 
Nebraska. Of the four delegates to Congress from Rhode Island 
at the present time, three are graduates of Brown, viz. : Nathan 
F. Dixon, class of 1833 ; Thomas A. Jenckes, class of 1838 ; and 
Henry B. Anthony. 

The entire number of graduates from the beginning, is 2,267. 
Of this number 583, or more than one-fourth, appear in italics, 
having been ordained and set apart to the work of the Christian 
ministry. Ninety-five of this class have been honored at this 
Institution, and elsewhere, with the degree of Doctor in Divinity. 
Among the Divines thus honored, we notice the names of Prof. 



52 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

William Rogers of the first graduating class ; Calvin Park, class 
of 1197, for many years Professor of Moral Philosophy and Meta- 
physics in the Institution; David Benedict, class of 1806, the 
venerable Baptist historian ; Adoniram Judson, class of 1*807, the 
distinguished missionary to Burmah ; Ebenezer Burgess, class of 
1809, a tutor of the Institution from 1811 to 1813 ; Jacob Ide, 
class of 1809, a son-in-law of the Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, 
and the editor of his published works ; John L. Blake, class of 
1812, author of a General Biographical Dictionary, which has 
passed through many editions; Romeo Elton, class of 1813, a 
Professor of Greek and Latin in the Institution from 1825 to 
1843 ; Enoch Pond, class of 1813, Professor in the Theological 
Seminary, at Bangor; Alvan Bond, class of 1815, formerly a Pro- 
fessor at Bangor ; Solomon Peck, class of 1816, for many years 
Corresponding Secretary of the American Baptist Missionary 
Union; Benjamin B. Smith, class of 1816, Bishop of the Episcopal 
church of Kentucky ; Swan L. Pomroy, class of 1820, for many 
years Corresponding Secretary of the American Board of Com- 
missioners for Foreign Missions; Alexis Caswell, also LL. D., class 
of 1822, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the 
Institution from 1828 to 1864 ; George Burgess, class of 1826, 
late Bishop of the Episcopal church of Maine ; Edwards A. Park, 
class of 1826, the distinguished Professor of Theology at Andover; 
M. A. DeWolf Howe, class of 1828, recently elected Bishop 
of Nebraska, but declined ; Edward A. Stevens, class of 1833, 
Missionary at Rangoon ; George M. Randall, class of 1835, 
Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Colorado ; Jonah G. Warren, 
class of 1835, Corresponding Secretary of the American Baptist 
Missionary Union ; Albert N. Arnold, class of 1838, formerly 
missionary to Greece, and now a Professor in Madison Univer- 
sity; Alexander Burgess, class of 1838, recently elected Bishop 
of Maine as successor to his brother, but declined ; Ezekiel G. 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 53 

Robinson, class of 1838, Professor in the Theological Seminary at 
Rochester ; William T. Brantly, class of 1840, Professor of Meta- 
physics and Belles-Lettres in Mercer University, Georgia ; Ken- 
dall Brooks, class of 1841, editor of the National Baptist; Henry 
Day, class of 1843, for several years a Professor in the Institu- 
tion; Robinson P. Dunn, class of 1843, Professor of Rhetoric and 
English Literature since 1851 ; James P. Boyce, class of 1847, a 
Professor of Theology in the Furman Institute, Greenville, South 
Carolina; George P. Fisher, class of 1847, Professor of Ecclesiasti- 
cal History in Yale College. 

Fifty-two of the graduates have received the degree of Doctor 
of Laws, at this and other institutions of learning. In addition 
to the names not elsewhere enumerated, we may mention Thomas 
Park, of the class of 1789; Nathaniel Searle, class of 1794 
Abraham Blanding, class of 1796 ; Benjamin Allen, class of 1797 
John Pitman, class of 1799 ; John M. Williams, class of 1801 
John Whipple, class of 1802 ; William Giles Goddard, class of 
1812, for seventeen years a Professor in the University ; Zacha- 
riah Allen, class of 1813 ; William Ruggles, class of 1820, Profes- 
sor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Columbian College ; 
George R.Russell, class of 1821; Isaac Davis, class of 1822; 
Edward Mellen, class of 1823 ; George W. Keely, class of 1824, 
Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Waterville 
College ; John Kingsbury, class of 1826, Secretary of the Cor- 
poration ; Peter C. Bacon, class of 1827 ; William M. Cornell, 
class of 1827, Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania ; John A. BoUes, class of 1829 ; George Ide 
Chace, class of 1830, a Professor in the University since 1833 ; 
William Gammell, class of 1831, a Professor in the University 
from 1835 to 1864; John L. Lincoln, class of 1836, a Professor 
in the University since 1844; David Burbank, class of 1837; 
Nathan Bishop, class of 1837, for ten years Superintendent of the 



54 BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Public Schools in Providence, and afterwards Superintendent of 
the Public Schools in Boston; Samuel P. Bates, class of 1851, 
Deputy Superintendent of the Public Schools in Pennsylvania. 

Among those who have attained to eminence as diplomatists, 
orators and statesmen, we may mention especially, Gen. James 
Mitchell Varnum, of the first graduating class, and Col. Samuel 
Ward, of the class of 1771, both distinguished ofl&cers of the 
revolutionary army; Samuel Eddy, of the class of 1787, for 
twenty-one successive years Secretary of Rhode Island, and for 
eight years Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State ; 
Jonathan Russell, of the class of 1791, Minister Plenipotentiary 
to Stockholm, and one of the five commissioners who negotiated 
the treaty of peace with England, at Ghent, in 1814, — and whose 
Fourth of July oration, delivered at Providence in the year 1800, 
has passed through scores of editions, and furnished material for 
school-boy declamations from that time down to the present day ; 
William Hunter, also of the class of 1791, a distinguished scholar, 
and for many years Charge d' Affaires at the Court of Brazil ; the 
late William Baylies, of the class of 1795, one of the purest- 
minded and best jurists of the Bay State ; Tristam Burges, of the 
class of 1796, the distinguished orator, whose keen, sarcastic wit 
proved more than a match for the redoubtable John Randolph, 
of Virginia ; Henry Wheaton, of the class of 1802, Minister Pleni- 
potentiary to Berlin, and author of " Elements of International 
Law," still the standard book on this subject, and the text-book 
in the universities and colleges not only of America, but of Eng- 
land; William Larned Marcy, of the class of 1808, Secretary of 
War under President Polk, and afterwards, under President Pierce, 
Secretary of State, and author of the famous letter to the Aus- 
trian government on the release of Martin Koszta; Lafayette 
Sabine Foster, whose name we have already mentioned in the 
list of senators, late President of the United States Senate. To 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 65 

this list we may add George D. Prentice, of the class of 1823, 
whose witty paragraphs have made the Louisville Journal famous 
during the last quarter of a century. 

Nearly a hundred of the graduates have rendered good ser- 
vice in the cause of learning as tutors and professors in colleges 
and theological seminaries, while large numbers have distinguished 
themselves as teachers in the various schools and academies of the 
land. A score and upwards have served as Presidents of colleges. 
We may mention the names of Jonathan Maxcy, of the class of 
1787, Asa Messer, of the class of 1790, and Barnas Sears, of the 
class of 1825, in connection with the Presidency of their Alma 
Mater. Jeremiah Chaplin, of the class of 1799, Rufus Babcock, 
of the class of 1821, Eiiphas Fay, of the class of 1821, and James 
Tift Champlin, of the class of 1834, in connection with the Presi- 
dency of Waterville College ; Willard Preston, of the class of 
1806, fourth President of the University of Vermont, and James 
Burrill Angell, of the class of 1849, recently inaugurated Presi- 
dent of the same institution; Jonathan Going, of the class of 
1809, President of Granville College, Ohio ; Jasper Adams, of 
the class of 1815, President of Geneva College, New York, and 
afterwards of Charleston College, South Carolina ; Wilbur Fisk, 
of the class of 1815, first President of the Wesleyan University, 
Middletown, Connecticut; Jesse Hartwell, of the class of 1819, 
President of Mt. Lebanon University, Louisiana ; Horace Mann, 
of the class of 1819, President of Antioch College; Silas Axtell 
Crane, of the class of 1823, President of Kemper College, Mis- 
souri, and Eleazar Carter Hutchinson, of the class of 1826, Presi- 
dent of the same institution ; John Pratt, of the class of 1827, 
President of Granville College ; John Brown White, of the class 
of 1832, President of Wake Forest College ; Silas Bailey, of the 
class of 1834, President of Granville College, now Denison Uni- 
versity, and afterwards President of Franklin College, Indiana ; 



56 BROWNUNIVERSITY. 

Justin Rolfe Loomis, of the class of 1835, President of the Uni- 
versity of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania ; and George Whitefield 
Samson, of the class of 1839, President of Columbian College, 
Washington. 

In looking over the long list of Trustees and Fellows, but few 
of whom comparatively speaking are among the graduates of the 
Institution, one can hardly fail to observe how many of the great 
and good men of the day it comprises. Prominent among the 
early Fellows are the names of Morgan Edwards, who first 
proposed to the Philadelphia Association the founding of the 
College, and who procured in England and Ireland the funds 
wherewith it was endowed; Doct. Thomas Eyres of Newport, a 
graduate of Yale, and the first Secretary of the Corporation ; Rev. 
Edward Upham, a Baptist clergyman of Newport, and a graduate 
of Harvard in the class of 1734; Rev. Dr. Stillman of Boston, the 
most popular and eloquent preacher of his day ; Rev. Dr. Smith 
of Haverhill, Massachusetts, the brave patriot, and the classmate 
and intimate friend of President Manning ; Jabez Bowen, LL. D., 
for five years Deputy Governor of Rhode Island ; Judge Howell, 
LL. D., the first Tutor and Professor of the Institution, and for 
more than half a century a leading man in the afiairs of Rhode 
Island; Doct. Benjamin Waterhouse, the early advocate of vacci- 
nation, and the author of the first course of lectures on Botany 
and Natural History ever delivered in this country ; Rev. John 
Davis, the "pious and learned" defender of civil and religious 
liberty ; Doct. Solomon Drown, a graduate of the College in the 
class of 1773, and for many years a leading physician of Provi- 
dence ; Rev. Dr. Enos Hitchcock, a graduate of Harvard College, 
and a leading clergyman of Providence after the Revolutionary 
war. At the head of the list of Trustees stands the honored 
name of Stephen Hopkins, LL. D., Governor of the- State, and 
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 57 

the first Chancellor of the University, and, like the present Chan- 
cellor, was an active member of the Society of Friends. Further 
down the list appears the name of Esek Hopkins, a brother of 
the Governor, and the first Commodore in the American Navy. 
We notice also the names of Samuel Ward, Josias Lyndon, Joseph 
Wanton, Nicholas Cooke, and William Greene, Governors of Rhode 
Island previous to and during the war, and Daniel Sessions and 
William Bradford, Deputy Governors ; Daniel Jenckes, whose 
name is so intimately connected with the history of the College 
charter. He was for forty years a member of the General Assem- 
bly, and for nearly thirty years was Chief Justice of the Provi- 
dence County Court; — his daughter Rhoda was mother of the 
Hon. Nicholas Brown, from whom the University derives its 
name, and also of the late Mrs. Hope Ives, after whom Hope Col- 
lege was named. The venerable Isaac Backus, of Middleborough, 
the Baptist historian of New England, was for thirty-four years 
an active Trustee of the Institution. But prominent among the 
early Trustees are the honored names of Nicholas. Joseph and 
John Brown. To their united efforts and large-hearted benevo- 
lence, not only the College, but the City in which it is located, 
owe much of their present usefulness and prosperity. Of the 
more recent members of the Corporation, it may be sufficient to 
say, that they happily represent the piety, the learning and wealth 
of the four religious denominations recognized in the charter. 

The imperfect review which we have thus been enabled to 
give of the graduates of Brown University, shows that during 
the first century of her existence she has performed well her 
part in the great work of diffusing the blessings of learning and 
religion in the earth, and of "forming," in the language of her 
charter, " the rising generation to virtue, knowledge and useful 
literature." Of such a record the friends and patrons of the 
Institution may well be proud. 



58 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



The following Roll of Honor may fitly close this Historical 
Sketch. It comprises a list of one hundred and thirty-one 
Students (including several recent graduates) who left the quiet 
shades of the Academy to enter upon the field of strife, and aid 
in putting down the Rebellion. We publish it as it originally 
appeared in the "Brown Paper"* for 1862, without change or 
comment. It shows that Brown University, as in the beginning, 
has been well represented in the struggles of her country for 
freedom and union. Of this list of students, twenty-one responded 
at once to the calls of patriotism, and entered the army in the 
very beginning of the war. How many of her Graduates enlisted 
under the stars and stripes, may never, perhaps, be fully ascertained. 



Henry S. Adams, Lieutenant, - 
Joshua Addeman, 
William Ames, Captain, - 
William D. Avery, Captain, 
Seth J. Axtell, Corporal, - 
George H. Babbitt, Sergeant, 
Charles E. Bailey, - 
W. Whitman Bailey, - 
Daniel C. Ballou, 
Orville A. Barker, 
George B. Barrows, 
John T. Blake, Sergeant, 
William W. Bliss, Sergeant, 
James W. Blackwood, 
Amos M. Bowen, 
Joseph M. Bradley, 
Charles R. Brayton, Captain, ■ 
Edward P. Brown, Lieutenant, 
T. Frederic Brown, Lieutenant, 
William L Brown, Lieutenant, 
Zephaniah Brown, - 



45th Massachusetts Volunteers. 

10th Rhode Island 

2d 

United States Navy. 

51st Massachusetts Volunteers. 

39th 

1st Rhode Island " 

10th " 

12th " 

39th Massachusetts " 

10th Rhode Island " 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

New York Ironsides Regiment. 

10th Rhode Island Volunteers. 

1st 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

3d Rhode Island Artillery. 

4th Rhode Island Volunteers. 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

9th New Hampshire Volunteers. 

10th Rhode Island 



♦An annual sheet, commenced in November, 1857, and published under the aupices of 
the students. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



59 



John K. Bucklyn, Lieutenant, - 

Israel M. Bullock, 

Henry S. Burrage, - - - - 

Christopher C. Burrows, Sergeant, 

Charles D. Cady, . - - - 

Frank H Carpenter, Steward, 

Charles H. Chapman, Adjutant, 

Edson C. Chick, 

John S. Chick, . - - . 

Charles M Corbin, 

David P. Corbin, Lieutenant, - 

EUmer L. Corthell, Lieutenant, 

Charles C. Cragin, - - - - 

Harry C. Cushing, Lieutenant. 

Augustus N Cunningham, Major, 

William P. Davis, Corporal, 

Edward P. Deacon, Captain, 

James A. DeWolf, 

Frederic A. Dockray, Lieutenant, 

Edgar J. Doe, - - - - 

John K. Dorrance, - - - - 

Samuel R. Dorrance, Sergeant, 

William W. Douglas, Lieutenant, 

Frank W. Draper, 

James G. Dougherty, 

Samuel VV. Duncan, Captain, 

G. Lyman Dwight, Lieutenant, 

John D. Edgell, Lieutenant, 

Forrest F. Emerson, 

David Fales, .... 

Hervey A. Foster, Corporal, 

Simeon G-allup, Sergeant, 

Clarence T. Gardner, Lieutenant, 

Henry G. Gay, Sergeant, 

Edward K. Glezen, Sergeant Major, - 

Josiah R. Goddard, . - . 

Charles W. Greene, 

James B. M. Grosvenor, 

Albert E. Ham, . , . - 



1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 
10th Rhode Island Volunteers. 
39th Massachusetts " 
1st Rhode Island Cavalry. 
1st Rhode Island Volunteers. 
12th " 
5th " 
10th " 



22d Connecticut 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

10th Rhode Island Volunteers. 

4th United States Light Artillery. 

78t!i New York Volunteers. 

9th Rhode Island " 

Staif of General Heintzelman. 

1st Rhode Island Volunteers. 

3d Rhode Island Artillery. 

10th Rhode Island Volunteer;*. 



5th 

35th Massachusetts " 

10th Rhode Island 

45th Massachusetts " 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

53d Massachusetts Volunteers. 

10th Rhode Island 

45th Massachusetts " 

10th Rhode Island Volunteers. 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

3d Rhode Island Artillery. 

26th Connecticut Volunteers. 

10th Rhode Island 

11th " 

35th Massachusetts 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

lOth " " Volunteers. 



60 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



George B. Hanna, . . . . 
Charles L. Harrington, 
Frank T. Hazlewood, - - - ■ 
Charles H. Hidden, - - - - 
David A. Holmes, . . . . 
John J. Holmes, 

John S. Holmes, . . . . 

Wendall P. Hood, - - - 
William W. Hoppin, - - - . 
Charles E. Hosmer, - - - - 
William C. Ives, - - - - - 
Hervey F- Jacobs, Lieutenant, - 
Pardon S. Jastram, Lieutenant, 
Leland D. Jencks, - - - - 
Rodolphus H. Johnson, 
Benjamin D. Jones, Corporal, - 
George H. Kenyon, . . . . 
Oscar Lapham, Lieutenant, 
Frank W. Love, . . . . 

Horace W. Love, Lieutenant, - 

Roger W. Love, 

Charles F. Mason, Lieutenant, - 

Matthew M. Meggett, - - - . 

Joshua Mellen, - - . - - 

George H. Messer, . . . . 

Frederic A. Mitchell, Captain, 

J. Albert Monroe, Major, 

Elisha C. Mowry, - - - . 

B. Frank Pabodie, Corporal, 

Robert H. Paine, ... - 

Addison Parker, Jr., - - . . 

Alexander Peckham, . - . 

Stephen F. Peckham, Hospital Steward, 

Duncan A. Pell, Captain, 

S. Hartwell Pratt, - . . . 

J. Amon Price, . . _ . 

Hosea M. Quimby, . . . . 

James H. Remington, Captain, - 

John W. Rogers, Captain, - 



Illinois Artillery. 

10th Rhode Island Volunteers 


3d 
10th ' 


C (C (1 


1st 
10th ' 





26th Connecticut Volunteers. 
1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 
" " " Volunteers. 
9th " 
4th " 
10th " 

Staff of General Wright. 
10th Rhode Island Volunteers. 
1st " " Light Artillery. 



10th 



Volunteers. 



Staff of General Mitchell. 

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

lOth " " Volunteers. 



9th 

7th 

Staff of General Burnside. 

lOth Rhode Island Volunteers. 

(t a a it 

Maine Volunteers. 

7th Rhode Island Volunteers. 

40th Massachusetts " 



HISTORICAL SKETCH, 



61 



Frederic M. Sackett, Lieutenant, - - - 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. 

Mattson C. Sanborn, Lieutenant, - - - 2d Maine Volunteers. 

Nathaniel T. Sanders, 10th Rhode Island Volunteers. 

Eugene Sanger, New Hampshire " 

Isaac H. Saunders, 1st Rhode Islacd " 

Livingston Scott, lOth " " " 

Orville B. Seagraves, - - - - -"" " " 

Edward H. Sears, Lieutenant, - - - 1st " " Light Artillery. 

George W. Shaw, - lOth " " Volunteers. 

Sumner U. Shearman, Lieutenant, - - 4th " " " 

A. Judson Shurtleff, • 9th " 

T. Delap Smith, Lieutenant, - - - 41st Massachusetts 

Welcome A. Smith, 26th Connecticut 

Henry K. Southwick, Lieutenant, - - 2d Rhode Island " 

Henry J. Spooner, Lieutenant, - - - - 4th " " " 

Hebron H. Steere, Sergeant, - - - 1st " " Cavalry. 

Orsmus A. Taft, Corporal, . - . - 10th " " Volunteers. 
John Tetlow, Corporal, - - - - "" " 

Caleb E. Thayer, 

Francis M. Tyler, 9th '' 

William H. Underbill, 10th" 

Levi C. Walker, .....< 

Lewis 0. Walker, 

Joseph Ward, ...= .. .. 

Andrew F. Warren, 

Richard Waterman, Captain, - - - 1st " " Cavalry. 

Rufus Waterman, Midshipman, - - - - United States Navy. 

John Whipple, Jr., Captain, . . . 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. 

Edward N. Whittier, Sergeant, - - - 2d Maine Battery. 

James C. Williams, Captain, - - - Staff of Greneral Mitchell. 

Wilhara C. Witter, 10th Rhode Island Volunteers. 

George T. Woodward, 39th Massachusetts 

The first Seal of the Corporation was procured by the Kev. 
Dr. Stilhnan, of Boston, as appears by a vote on record, passed 
at the second annual meeting, held at Newport on the first 
Wednesday in September, 1765. At the annual meeting of the 
Corporation held in 1782, after the war, it is recorded, that 



62 



BROWN UNIVEESITY. 



The Chancellor, the President, and Henry Ward, Esq., were appointed a com- 
mittee to break the old seal of the College, which contains the busts of the present 
King and Queen of Great Britain ; and to agree upon a new seal with suitable devices, 
to be made of silver, and to report their proceedings therein to this Corporation. 

This committee, it appears, failed to do their work, for, at the 
next annual meeting, it was 

Resolved, That the President, Joseph Brown, Esq., Doct. Waterhouse and Doct. 
Drown, be a committee to devise and get a new seal engraved for the College as soon 
as may be. 

The Seal of the Corporation now in use was devised by a 
committee consisting of the Rev. Dr. Wayland, President, Eev. 
Dr. Crocker, Secretary, Moses B. Ives, Esq., Treasurer, and Hon. 
Judge Pitman. It was adopted September 3, 1834, as appears 
by the following resolution on record : — 

Resolved, That the Seal of the Corporation of this University be a red cross on a 
white field, between four open books, illuminated by a sun rising amid clouds, bearing 
the motto, " In Deo Speramus," and surrounded by a band inscribed Sigillum 
Univsrsitatis Brunensis. 




HISTORY 



COLLEGE LIBRARY. 



1770-1866. 



LIBRARY 




■ITH the exception of a few books procured in England 
through the agency of the Eev. Morgan Edwards, the 
College, at the time of its removal from Warren, was destitute of 
a Library. To supply as far as possible this deficiency, the Provi- 
dence Library Company, which, according to the late John How- 
land, was established as early as 1753, tendered to the officers and 
students the free use of their books — a privilege which they 
continued to enjoy many years. 

The following extract from a letter addressed by the Presi- 
dent to Thomas Llewelyn, LL. D., of London, shows the character 
and the extent of the Library, two years later. The letter is 
dated at Providence, February 21, 1772 : — 

The College edifice is erected on a most beautiful eminence in the neighborhood of 
Providence, commanding a charming and variegated prospect ; — a large, neat, brick 
building, and so far completed as to receive the students who now reside there, the 
whole number of whom is twenty-two. To this number we have the prospect of some 
further additions, although our increase will not probably be large until we are better 
furnished with a Library and Philosophical Apparatus. At present we have but about 
two hundred and fifty volumes, and these not well chosen, being such as our friends 
could best spare. 

Dr. Manning, who was distinguished in those early days for 
his scholarly attainments and liberal views, did not overestimate 



66 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

the value and importance of a Library, in connection with an 
institution of learning. The following letter, which we find on 
file, gives the titles of a part of these two hundred and fifty 
volumes, to which the President, in his correspondence, alludes : — 

Newport, May 16, 1771. 

Reverend Sir: — I have received the undermentioned books by the Tristram, 
which I now send by Mr. Lindsey, as a present to our College ; which present, though 
in itself small, is yet sufficient (perhaps) to testify the great regard and esteem which 
I have always had, and I hope I always shall have for the Institution. I have exam- 
ined them, and am very sorry to find several of them soiled by the carelessness of a 
passenger, which hurts the looks of them somewhat. 

Lord Kaimes on Criticism, 2 vols., (4th ed., 8°, Edin., 1769); Reid on the 
Mind, (3d ed., 8°, Lond., 1769) ; Watts's Philosophical Essays, (4th ed., 8°, Lond., 
1733); Grove's Moral Philosophy, (2 vols., 8°, Lond., 1749-50); Fenning's Alge- 
bra; Thompson's Works; Watts on the Passions, (4th ed.. 12°, Lond.. 1751); 
Spectator, (8 vols., 12°, Lond., 1747) ; Rollins's Belles-Lettres, (4 vols., 12°, 
Lond., 1769-70); Paradise Lost and Regained; Hurrion's Sermons. (2 vols., 
8°, Lond , 1727-9) ; Robertson's History of Scotland, (2 vols., 8°, Lond.. 1761) ; 
History of Iceland, (By Horrebow, folio, Lond., 1758). 

I remain, Reverend Sir, your sincere friend and well wisher, 

Joseph D. Russell. 

Another of the works included in Dr. Manning's enumeration, 
was Leland's View of Deistical Writers, third edition, three vol- 
umes, 8°, London, 1757, presented to the Library in 1771, by the 
Rev. John Graves, at that time pastor of the Episcopal church 
in Providence. 

In the latter part of 1772, through the agency, perhaps, of 
Dr. Llewelyn, the College received from the executors of the 
Rev. Dr. John Gill, of London, the distinguished commentator, 
all his published works, together with fifty-two folio volumes of 
the Fathers, etc. This, in the days of "small things," was a noble 
gift, and greatly augmented the treasures of the Library. 

The following year, the Rev. Benjamin Wallin, of London, 
presented to the Library his published works in ten volumes, 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. ' 67 

" neatly bound and gilt," together with Bunyan's Works, in six 
volumes, Booth's Eeign of Grace, and Wilson's Sermons. Dona- 
tions were also received from the Rev. Dr. Stennett, and others. 

In 1774, we find on record, a vote of thanks to the E,ev. 
Simon Wilhams, of Wenham, " for his generous donation to the 
College Library, of Cudworth's Intellectual System, in two vol- 
umes, quarto." 

On the 6th of December, 1776, immediately after the occupa- 
tion of Newport by the British troops, the College was disbanded, 
and the College building, from that time until June, 1782, as 
stated in our Historical Sketch, was occupied for barracks and 
afterwards for a hospital. During this confused period, the books 
were removed to the country for safe keeping, in the care of the 
Rev. William Williams, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, one of the 
.class of seven that graduated at Warren in 1769, a clergyman of 
high repute, and for many years a Fellow of the College. 

At the reorganization of the College in the Autumn of 1782, 
the Hon. Asher Robbins, LL. D., late of Newport, was appointed 
to the of&ce of tutor, and took charge of the Library as librarian. 
At a meeting of the Corporation held September 5, of this year, 
it was 

Resoh-ed, That the College Library, which, owing to the public confusions, has for 
several ye;ns );een in the country, after being compared and examined by the catalogue, 
be iinmc'liately brought wifh care into town, that tlie books may be made use of by the 
student!-', as foimerly. President Manning and pJohn Jenckes, Esq., are requested to 
see this order forthwith executed. 

The Library was then kept in the east chamber, on the second 
floor of the College building, in what is now known as the Mathe- 
matical recitation room. Some idea of its condition at this time 
may be learned from President Manning's correspondence. "Our 
Library," he writes to Rev. Dr. Stennett, of London, " consists of 
about five hundred volumes, most of which are both very ancient 



68 BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 

and very useless, as well as very ragged and unsightly." At the 
next annual meeting of the Corporation, held September 3, 1783, 
it was 

Voted, That the Kev. Hezekiah Smith, Doct. Benjamin Waterhoufe, Doct. Thomas 
Eyres, and Doct. Solomon Drown, be a committee to immediately solicit subscriptions 
for the College, in Providence and Newport. 

Voted, That the Chancellor, the President, Joseph Brown, Esq., Mr. Tutor Bob- 
bins, Rev. Dr. Stillman, Doct. Waterhouse, and Doct. Drown be a committee to make 
out a catalogue of philosophical instruments and books, to be purchased by the above 
subscriptions. 

At this meeting, " Mr. John Brown, the Treasurer of the Col- 
lege, offered," says Manning, in a letter to Dr. Stennett, written 
two months afterward, "to give a sum equal to what all the other 
members would subscribe, towards- procuring an addition to our 
little Library, and a philosophical apparatus. By this means we 
obtained subscriptions for near £700 lawful money, six shillings 
to the dollar, and the catalogues are being made out." 

In a letter to the Rev. Dr. Evans, President of the Baptist 
Academy in Bristol, England, Manning, under date of September 
13, 1784, further writes: "We have ordered out from London 
this Fall about fourteen hundred volumes, -* * * a donation from 
our Treasurer, John Brown, Esq., of Providence. The amount of 
two hundred pounds sterling was also ordered to be expended in 
the purchase of a necessary philosophical apparatus, in addition 
to what we already have, consisting chiefly of a telescope, an air 
pump and its apparatus, globes, and a thermometer. The money 
for this order was subscribed by other members of the Corpora- 
tion last Fall." A list of these fourteen hundred volumes, with 
the prices, is now, we may add, on file among the College archives. 
To the bibliographer and the antiquary, it constitutes a document 
of special interest. The selection was made chiefly by President 
Manning and the Chancellor, Gov. Hopkins, both of whom were 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRAKY. 69 

well versed in English literature, and excellent judges of good 
books. 

The following books were imported at this time by Mr. Moses 
Brown, at a cost of £18 25 ^d sterling, and by him presented to 
the College Library. Mr. Brown was the younger brother of the 
Treasurer, and the distinguished patron of the Friends' Boarding 
School. The books are mostly in illustration of the principles of 
the religious denomination to which he was attached; — many of 
them are now rare and of great value. We give the original 
prices, as we find them in a list on file : — 

GrEORGE Fox's Joumal, 3d ed., folio, Lond., 1765, . . . 

Gospel Truth Demonstrated, folio, Lond., 1706, 

Yearly Meeting Epistles, from 1675 to 1759, folio, Lond., 1760, 
Robert Barclay's Works, 3 vols., 8°, Lond., 1718-36, 

Apology, in Latin, 2d ed., 8°, Lond., 1729, - 

William Penn's Select Works, 5 vols., 8°, Lond., 1782, 

Thomas Elwood's Sacred History, 4th ed., 3 vols., 8°, Lond., 1778, 

Life, 3d ed., 8°, Lond., 1765, 

Richard Claridge's Life and Posthumous Works, 8°, Lond., 1726, 

On the Holy Scriptures, 8°, Lond., 1751, 

GrKORGE Whitehead's Christian Progress, 8°, Lond., 1725, 
Alexander Arscott's Considerations, 3d ed., 8°, Lond., 1779, 
John Fothergill's Life and Travels, 2d ed., 8°, Lond., 1773, 
Dr. John Fothergill's Account of Ackworth School, . . . 
Bird's Tribute to Memory of Dr. Fothergill, - - - 

Sermons of Quakers; taken in Short-Hand, 8°, Lond., 1775, 
John Rutty's Materia Medica, 4°, Rotterdam, 1775, 

Spiritual Diary, 2 vols., 12°, Lond., 1776, 

Whiting's Life of John Grratton, 12°, Lond., 1779, 

William Crouch on Covetousness, 8°, Lond., 1708, 

Sewell's History of the Quakers, 2d ed., folio, Lond., 1725, 

Joseph Phipps's Original State of Man, 8°/ Lond., 1767, 

Samuel Fothingill on Life of Holiness, etc., 2d ed., 8°, Lond., 1761, 

John Woglman's Works, 2d ed., 8°, Phila., 1775, 

John Churchman's Life, - - 

Piety Promoted, 8th Part, 



£ 


s. d. 





15 





12 





6 





13 





4 


1 


2 6 





15 





3 





4 3 





1 6 





4 6 





2 6 





3 3 





9i 





9 





2 6 


1 








6 





1 8 





2 3 


1 








3 





3 





6 





3 6 





3 



- 6 





3 





- 4 





6 


6 


- 15 





12 





- 1 11 


6 


1 





£18 2 


7 



70 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

£ d. 
Bishop's New England judged, (including Whiting's Truth and Tnno- 

cency defended,) 8°, Lond., 1702-3, - - - 
Life of Samuel Bownas, 2d ed., 8°, Lond., 1761, 
Life of John Richardson, 3d ed., 8°, Lond., 1774, 
John Whiting's Persecution Exposed, 4°, Lond., 1715. 
Martin's New Principles of Geography, folio, Lond., 1758, 
One old very large map of North America, ----- 
Dr. John Fothekgill's Works, 3 vols., 8°, Lend., 1783-4, 
Two volumes of migeellaneous works by Sophia Hume, Deborah Bell, 

Mary Brooks, Homes, Claridge, Foster, Wilkinson, Bess, etc.. 

During this same year, 1784, John Tanner, Esq., of Newport, one 
of the early members of the Corporation, presented to the Library 
one hundred and thirty-five volumes of miscellaneous books, most of 
which, as appears from a list on file, were religious in their char- 
acter. Many of them are now of special value as illustrating the 
ecclesiastical history of New England; — among which maybe 
mentioned : Backus's Church History, Sermons by Coleman and 
Callender, Morton's New England Memorial, Cotton Mather's 
Eemarkables, Morgan Edwards's Materials for Baptist History, 
Edwards's Narrative, Collection of Sermons by Lathrop, Cooper, 
Williams, Backus, Mather, etc., etc. 

During this same year also, the Hon. Granville Sharp, LL. D., 
of London, with whom Manning corresponded, presented to the 
Library his own publications, which were numerous, together 
with a set of the works of his grandfather, Dr. John Sharp, Arch- 
bishop of York. He subsequently sent other valuable presents 
to the Library. In the correspondence of Manning we also find 
mention of a set of Saurin's Sermons, presented by Thomas Mul- 
lett, Esq., a brother-in-law of Dr. Caleb Evans, of Bristol. 

These various donations increased the Library, so that it now 
contained, says Manning, " upwards of two thousand volumes." 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 71 

In a letter dated Bristol, September 5, 1785, Dr. Evans thus 
writes to the President : " At our late annual meeting of the 
Education Society here, August 24, I obtained a vote in favor of 
your College, respecting the many valuable books we have to 
dispose of, and am empowered to send such as I may approve of 
I shall take an early opportunity of doing this, and when received 
shall hope for the favor of a line from you." 

This handsome donation — consisting of sixty-one folio vol- 
umes, twenty-five quartos, fifty-eight octavos, and five duodecimos, 
in all one hundred and forty-nine well-bound volumes, including 
several Fathers of the Church and standard works in science, 
history, literature and the classics — was received early the fol- 
lowing year. Among the folios may be mentioned : Walton's 
Biblia Sacra Polyglotta, with Castell's Lexicon ; Bayle's Diction- 
ary; Chambers's Cyclopaedia; Biographia Britannica ; Owen on 
the Hebrews, and the Holy Spirit ; Ness's History and Mystery 
of the Bible ; Pool's Annotations ; Chillingworth's Works ; Whit- 
by's Commentary ; Centuriatores Magdeburgici ; Wynne's Life of 
Jenkins ; Josephi Opera ; Shaw's and Pocock's Travels ; Dio Cas- 
sii Historia Romana ; Burnet's Reformation ; Plinii Historia 
Naturalis ; Ward's Lives of the Professors of Gresham College ; 
FiDDEs's Life of Cardinal Wolsey, etc. Sheridan's Lectures, Neal's 
History of the Puritans, Jortin's Life of Erasmus, Sales's Koran, 
Gill's Body of Divinity, Owen on Justification, and Quintiliani 
Institutiones, are among the quartos. Such evidences of kind 
feeling on the part of those with whom this country had so 
recently been at war, must have been highly gratifying at the 
time, as they most certainly are even at the present day. This 
"Education Society" was founded in the year 1780, in aid of the 
Baptist Academy at Bristol, " to the end that dissenting congre- 
gations, especially of the Baptist denomination, in any part of 
the British dominions, might be more effectually supplied with a 



72 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

succession of able and evangelical ministers." The Society has 
been eminently useful. It is now in the possession of a very 
valuable library, containing the collection of books, paintings, 
etc., of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Gifford, for many years sub-librarian 
of the British Museum, and also the collection of Dr. Llewelyn. 

The following by-laws, adopted by the Corporation at a special 
meeting held December 23, 1785, may be interesting as a part of 
our history. They certainly show that the literary treasures 
of the small and unpretending Library of two thousand volumes, 
were thoroughly appreciated by its conservators, and guarded 
with jealous care: — 

I. Voted and resolved, That in addition to the former regulations for the College 
Library, the librarian keep the library room neat and clean, and, in delivering out 
books, he shall suffer none of the students to derange or handle them on the shelves ; 
nor shall the students pass into the library room beyond the table at which the librarian 
sits, agreeably to a regulation hereafter mentioned ; and the st'.iflents shall be entitled 
to receive in and deliver out books according to their order of entering the library 
room. 

6. He shall demand and receive a fine of six pence for every time it shall come 
to his knowledge that any student hath suffered a library book, by him taken out, to 
be uncovered in his possession, which fine shall be paid under like penalty as money 
assessed for books damaged. 

7. No student or graduate shall presume to lend to any person a book belonging 
to the Library, on penalty of forfeiting the value thereof, and the piivilege of the 
Library till such forfeiture be paid. 

II. He shall deliver the key to none, on any occasion, except to an officer of 
instruction. And no officer of instruction shall presume to take out a book unless the 
librarian, or a person deputed by him be present to take the receipt required. 

12. He shall open the library room on such day of the week as the President shall 
from time to time direct, and shall keep it open from one to three o'clock in the 
afternoon. 

16. A standing committee shall be annually appointed to superintend the conduct 
of the librarian and to audit his accounts, =* * * and the President, the Rev. 
Mr. Hitchcock and the Eev. Mr. Oliver are appointed a committee, etc., till the next 
annual meeting. 

Resolved, That Mr. William Wilkinson be, and he is, hereby elected and appointed 
librarian. 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 73 

Continuing om' extracts from the records of the Corporation, 
we find, under date of September 6, 1787 : — 

Voted and resolved, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Mr. John 
Francis, for his valuable donation of books to this College, and that the privilege of 
the Library be granted to him. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Rev. Benjamin 
Eoster, of Newport, for his donation of the Septuagint, and an ancient edition of 
Horace. 

September 4, 1788 : Voted, That the graduates of this College write, or procure to 
be written, fair copies of their Commencement Exercises, and have them bound in a 
handsome volume, annually, at their expense, to be deposited in the College Library. 

Voted, That a particular part of the library room be appropriated for the reception 
of the works of American authors. 

September 2, 1790 : Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented by 
the President to Dr. Hitchcock, for the present of his valuable books entitled. Domestic 
Memoirs, in 2 vols., 12°, to this College. 

September 6, 1792 : Voted, That $25 per annum be allowed and paid to each 
of the former librarians for their attention to and discharge of their duty in that 
appointment. 

April 4, 1793 : Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to the 
Rev. Dr. Belknap, for the generous and unexpected donation of his History of New 
Hampshire, and that a copy of this note be delivered Dr. Hitchcock, and he be 
requested to transmit the same to Dr. Belknap. 

Voted, That Mr. Howell, who lias now in his possession the valuable donation of 
law books, presented by Mr. Nicholas Brown to this College, be explicitly informed 
that the Corporation expect he will take due care of them, by having them covered, 
that whenever they are deposited in the Library, they may appear in good order, that 
the donor may not suffer the imputation of presenting books damaged or impaired ; and 
that Mr. Howell also be informed that the Corporation expect he will attend and read 
a course of lectures to the students in College, at least once a year, agreeably to his 
appointment as Professor of Law. 

Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Mrs. Hope Ives, for 
her generous and acceptable donation of the American edition of the Encyclopaedia 
Britannica to the College Library, and that the treasurer transmit her a copy of this 
vote. 

Voted, That the librarian be directed to notify by a billet the members of the 
Corporation, and all others who have had books out of the Library longer than the time 
allowed by law, that the same must be returned on or before the first day of June 
10 



74 BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 

next ; and that he also inform them that in case of their non compliance with this vote, 
the money will be demanded of them for said books. 

Votp.d, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Mr. Nicholas Brown, 
for his valuable donation of law books to this Institution, and that the secretary deliver 
Mr. Brown a copy of this vote. 

The last-mentioned vote refers to the Hon. Nicholas Brown, 
from whom, as we have already stated in our Historical Sketch, 
the University derives its name. He commenced his princely 
benefactions to the College by the donation of five hundred dol- 
lars for the purchase of a law library. In a letter to the Corpo- 
ration he says : '" I make this donation under a deep impression 
of the generous intentions of my honored father, deceased, towards 
the College in this town, as well as from my own personal feelings 
towards the Institution in which I received my education, and 
from a desire to promote literature in general, and in particular 
the knowledge of the laws of our country, under the influence 
whereof not only our property but our lives and dearest privileges 
are protected." 

The books, numbering about three hundred volumes, were 
purchased of Whieldon & Butterworth, London, at a cost of 
.£112 35 sterling. The selection was made by the Hon. David 
Howell, to whose care and keeping, it appears, they were for a 
time consigned. Among the more expensive works, according to 
the original bill, which is on file, may be mentioned : Bacon's 
Abridgment, 5 vols., folio, £5 15^ M; Coke upon Littleton, folio, 
£3 8s ; DuRNFORD & East's Reports, 4 vols., folio, £8 8s ; Swinburne 
on Wills, quarto, £3 10s; Domat's Civil LaW, 2 vols., folio, £2 5s; 
Viner's Abridgment, 24 volumes, 8°, £14 8s ; Grotius on War 
and Peace, folio, £2 ; Puffendorp's Law of Nature, folio, £3 3s ; 
Bracton's De Legibus Angliae, folio, £2 2s, (according to Sir 
William Jones, " the best of judicial classics ") ; Coke's Reports, 
7 volumes, 8°, £4 4s ; Weskett on Insurance, folio, £2 10s ; 
Blackstone's Reports, folio, £2 5s ; Brown's Reports, 2 vols., folio, 



HISTOEY OF THE LIBRARY. 75 

£S 10s 'j Corpus Juris Civilis, 2 vols., folio, £2 5s; Woodeson's 
Lectures, 2 vols., 8°, £1 45 ; Reeves's History of English Law, 4 
vols., 8°, £1 10s ; Addington's Penal Statutes, quarto, £1 9s. 

Continuing our extracts from the records, we find, under date 
of September 4, 1794 : — 

Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Messrs. John Carter 
and William Wilkinson, for the donation of the following valuable books, to wit : 
Watson's Apology, 1 vol. ; Price's Sermons, 1 vol. ; Moore's Journal, 2 vols. ; 
Okton's Letters, 1 vol. ; Doddridge's Sermons, 1 vol. 

Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Dr. Rippon, of Lon- 
don, for his donation to the College of Bicheno's Friendly Address to the Jews. 

x^pril 26, 1796 : Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to 
Rev. Dr. Prince, for his very valuable donation to the College Library of Lectures on 
Natural and Experimental Philosophy, by George Adams, comprised in five elegant 
volumes. 

Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Mrs. Avis Brown, for 
her valuable donation to the College Library of Dr. Campbell's Critical Remarks on 
the New Testament, and his Translation of the Four Evangelists. 

September 6, 1796 : Voted, That the Freshman cla'i's be, in future, admitted to the 
use of the College Library on the same terms as the other students. 

It appears by the report of the library committee, that several persons, to whom 
books have been loaned, neglected to return them, in violation of the laws made to 
secure a seasojaable return of such books ; which the Corporation consider as an evil of 
great magnitude. It is therefore, 

Voted, That the libiarian be, and he is, hereby directed to apply a speedy and 
vigorous execution of the enacted laws, and that he fail not to make report of his pro- 
ceedings at the nest meeting of the Corporation. 

Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented the Rev. Mr. Backus, 
for his present to the College liibrary of the third volume of his Church History of 
New England. 

The following letter from Mr. Benson, who this year resigned 
his place in the Board of Trustees, is deserving of mention. 
The author, it may be observed, was formerly a wealthy mer- 
chant of Providence ; his mansion, on the corner of Prospect 
and Angell streets, is now occupied by the Watson family: — 



76 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

September 3d, 1801. 

SiE : — Will you do me the favor to request the Corporation to accept the following 
trifling donation for the College Library, viz. : Thoughts on Religion, Natural and 
Revealed, and Reflexions on the Sources of Incredulity, etc., in two volumes, by the 
Right Honorable Duncan Forbes. This is a scarce though celebrated performance. 
A Vindication of the Divine Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, in answer to Paine's 
Age of Reason, by Thomas Scott, chaplain to the Lock Hospital. Discourses on the 
Genuineness and Authenticity of the New Testament, and on the Nature and Danger 
of Infidel Philosophy, by the Rev. President Dwight. A Summary of the Evi- 
dences of Christianity, by John Fawcett. The Gospel its own Witness, by Andrew 
Fuller, D. D., to which is subjoined, a Summary of the Principal Evidences for the 
Truth and Divine Origin of the Chiistian Revelation, by the Bishop of London. 

May the pernicious errors detected and refuted in the preceding productions be 
forever excluded from the College, and may the important truths they inculcate and 
enforce, prevail and abound therein. 

I am, dear Sir, assuredly your friend, 

,, ^ ., T,_ George Benson. 

Mr. President Maxcy. 

Continuing our extracts, we find as follows : — 

September 5, 1805 : Mr. Nicholas Brown having offered to this University, in 
addition to all his other donations, the sum of five hundred dolbrs, to be vested in 
books for the Library, it is therefore 

Voted, That five hundred dollars be added thereto, payable out of any money in the 
treasury not otherwise appropriated for the same use. And that Nicholas.Brown, Doct. 
Solomon Drown, Hon, David L. Barnes, and the Secretary be a committee for procur- 
ing such books, and causing them to be placed in the Library of the University. 

Dr. James Mann, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, having presented to this Univer- 
sity Geavesande's Philosophy, 2 vols., 4°, and Schluttkr's Essay on Mines, (in 
French,) 2 vols., 4°, 

Voted, That the President return him the thanks of this Coipoiation therefor. 

September 3, 1807 : Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to 
Doctor Baldwin for the following books presented by him to the University, to wit : 
Bibliotheca Classica, History of the Reign of Philip III., Baldwin on Baptism, 
and the Doctrine of Eternal Misery reconcilable with the Benevolence of God. 

The Rev. Isaac Backus, of Middleborough, Massachusetts, 
author of the Church History of New England, who died in 1806, 
in the eighty-third year of his age and the sixtieth of his ministry, 



HISTORYOFTHELIBRAEY. 77 

bequeathed to the College a part of his library. The extent or 
value of this bequest it is now impossible to determine, as no 
record was made of it at the time. Among the books thus pre- 
sented, however, there is one which deserves particular mention. 
It is a copy of Roger Williams's Bloody Tenent yet more Bloody, 
being the copy originally presented by Williams to his friend and 
fellow laborer, Dr. John Clarke. On a blank leaf it contains the 
following words in Roger Williams's hand-writing : " For his hon- 
oured and beloved Mr. John Clarke, an eminent Witnes of Christ 
Jesus, ag'st ye bloodie Doctrine of persecution," etc. 
The following appears on record: — 

1816, September 5 : Dr. Rippon having transmitted to this Corporation, The 
History of the Human Teeth, by Joseph Fox, which book was by Mr. Fox in his life 
time put into the hands of Dr. Rippon, to be transmitted as a present to this Corporation, 

Voted, That the same be received with thankfulness, and placed in the College 
Library, inscribed with the donor's name, as a donation to this College. 

1818, September 3 : The Rev. Mr. Bolles having stated that he was authorized 
by the Rev. Thomas Carlile. of Salem, to say that Mr. Carlile will present to this 
Institution such theological books as may be desired, • 

Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Mr. Carlile for his 
generous offer ; that a catalogue of the books in the College Library be sent to him, in 
order that he may furnish the Institution such other books as he may think proper ; 
and that Mr Bolles be requested to present a copy of this vote, and the said catalogue, 
to the Rev. Mr. Carlile. 

Mr. Carlile was a graduate of the College in the class of 1809, 
and for several years was rector of St. Peter's church in Salem, 
Massachusetts. Agreeably to his intentions, as expressed in the 
foregoing vote, he made the following year a splendid donation 
to the Library, consisting of one hundred and three volumes, 
mostly in quarto, comprising the best editions of the works of 
the celebrated French mathematicians, Euler, Lacroix, Lagrange, 
Laplace, etc., besides many valuable theological works. 

The next, and the most valuable of all the donations to the 
Library, which we have thus far recorded, is the legacy of the 



78 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Rev. William Richards, LL. D., of Lynn, England. Mr. Richards* 
was a native of South Wales. At the age of twelve he had been 
at school only one year. From this time till the twenty-fourth 
year of his age, when he entered the academy at Bristol, he 
received no instruction. But his application to study was vigor- 
ous and persevering. He remained at Bristol two years. After 
preaching for a short time as an assistant to the Rev. Dr. John 
Ash, of Pershore, he accepted an invitation from the Baptist 
church at Lynn, to become their pastor, and entered upon his 
public ministry in that town, July 7, 1776, where he continued 
to reside — more than half of the time as pastor of the church — 
till his death, which occurred in 1818, in the sixty-ninth year of 
his age. 

Mr. Richards seems to have been a man of considerable learn- 
ing, particularly in English and Welsh history, and in the Welsh 
language and literature. His writings are historical, political and 
controversiaLf His most important work is the History of Lynn, 
in two volumes, 8°. Dr. Evans says of it : " It is not only well 
written, the style perspicuous and manly, but it is replete with 
information as well as entertainment." His Review of Noble's 
Memoirs of the Protectoral House of Cromwell, is characterized 
by Lowndes t as "severe, but at the same time just." "His 
Dictionary of Welsh and English," says Dr. Evans, " a work of 
minute and wearisome^ labor, is in high repute." Mr. Richards 
was of the General Baptist denomination, and a strong advocate 
of religious liberty. It was his love of the liberal character of 
this Institution, which induced him to bestow upon it his library, 
as appears from the following passage in his Memoirs : " Mr. 

*See Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Eev. William Richards, LL. D,, by John 
Evans, LL. D., of Islington. 12mo., Chiswick, 1819. 

■f For a list of his writings — comprising nearly the whole — see under his name in the 
Catalogue of the Library. 

rj: Bibliographer's Manual. 



HISTORY OF THE LIBEARY. 79 

Richards had corresponded with Dr. James Manning, once Presi- 
dent of the Baptist College in Rhode Island. From this gentle- 
man he learned the liberal constitution of that respectable Semi- 
nary, and for some years previous to his death meant to bequeath 
to it his library.* He accordingly made inquiry of Dr. Rogers, (of 
Philadelphia,) whether it was still conducted on the same liberal 
footing, in which case he should cherish the same generous inten- 
tions towards it." This inquiry was answered by Dr. Messer, then 
President of the College, in a letter from which we extract the 
following passage : " Though the charter requires that the 
President shall forever be a Baptist, it allows neither him, in his 
official character, nor any other officer of instruction, to incul- 
cate any sectarian doctrine ; it forbids all religious tests ; and it 
requires that all denominations of Christians, behaving alike, 
shall be treated alike. The charter is congenial with the whole 
of the civil government established here by the venerable Roger 
Williams, who allowed no religious tests, and no preeminence of 
one denomination over another ; and none has ever been allowed 
unto this day. This charter is also congenial with the present 
spirit of this State and of this town." 

Gratified with this letter, Mr. Richards bequeathed his library, 
consisting of about thirteen hundred volumes, to Brown Univer- 
sity. The original manuscript catalogue of his library, written 
in a large round hand, has recently been deposited in the College 
archives. It is a singular fact that the will of the donor was 
made on the very day on which the honorary degree of Doctor 
of Laws was conferred upon him by the College. Mr. Richards 
had received no intimation that the honor was intended for him, 
nor did he live to hear that it had been bestowed. 

The library which he bequeathed to the College is in many 
respects valuable. It contains a considerable number of Welsh 

* See Manning and Brown University, pp. 441-47. 



80 



BEOWN UNIVEKSITY. 



books, a large collection of valuable works, illustrating the his- 
tory and antiquities of England and Wales ; besides two or three 
hundred bound volumes of pamphlets, some of which are very 
ancient, rare and curious. Not a few of these pamphlets will be 
prized by the future historian, as illustrations of the progress of 
civil and religious liberty. 

During the year 1824, fifty-four volumes of valuable scientific 
works, including Cloquet's Anatomic, Lamarck's and Decandolle's 
Flore Frangaise, Cuvier's Regne Animal, and Wilkin's Vitruvius, 
were presented by Mr. John Carter Brown and Mr. Robert Hale 
Ives. Often, since that time, the names of these gentlemen 
appear among the benefactors of the Library. 

For the next valuable accession to the Library, designated 
" the subscription of 1825," the College is indebted to the efforts 
of Mr. Horatio Gates Bowen, who was librarian of the Institution 
from 1824 to 1841. At his request several of the friends of the 
College subscribed eight hundred and forty dollars, which sum 
was expended in the purchase of books. The following are the 
names of the subscribers, copied from the original subscription 
book: — 



Edward Carrington, - 


- $200 


Sullivan Dorr, - 


- - $50 


Thomas P. Ives, 


200 


Thomas L. Halsey, 


50 


Moses B. Ives, - 


50 


Nathaniel Searle, 


10 


Robert H. Ives, 


50 


Tristam Burges, 


10 


James Rhodes, - 


50 


JohnD'Wolf, - 


10 


John Carter Brown, 


50 


Lucius BoUes, 


10 


Samuel G. Arnold, 


50 






Amasa Mason, 


50 


Total, - 


- $840 



On the return of Professor Elton from Europe, in 1827, dona- 
tions were received through him, from several distinguished gen- 
tlemen in England, in all two hundred and eighty-three volumes; 
besides eighty-five volumes of classical and miscellaneous works, 
purchased by him at the order of Messrs. Brown & Ives. 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 81 

The libraries of the Philophysian and Franklin Societies, com- 
posed of undergraduates, when these societies became extinct, 
were, by a provision in their constitutions, incorporated with the 
College Library. They together contained three hundred or four 
hundred volumes. 

The government of Great Britain presented during the years 
1835-8, one hundred and ten volumes of the publications of the 
Kecord Commission. 

In 1838, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Bartol, wife of Kev. Cyrus A. 
Bartol, D. D., of Boston, and Mrs. Hepsy S. Wayland, wife of Presi- 
dent Wayland, presented three hundred and fifty-six volumes of 
standard works in French and Italian literature. 

The Rev. Jonathan Homer, D. D., of Newton, Massachusetts, 
at various times made valuable donations of rare and costly 
theological books, including some valuable editions of the Bible. 
Many of these contain copious and useful manuscript annotations 
by the learned donor. 

In January, 1842, the Hon. Theron Metcalf, LL. D., of Boston, 
a graduate of the College in the class of 1805, presented to the 
Library a collection of thirty volumes of Ordination Sermons. 
To this he has since added from year to year, until it now num- 
bers sixty-four volumes. These bound volumes contain upwards 
of fourteen hundred discourses preached in the United States, 
and mostly in New England, at ordinations, installations and 
inaugurations, constituting without doubt the largest collection 
of the kind that has ever been made. He has also pres^ented at 
various times during the past twenty-five years, one hundred and 
two volumes of Funeral Sermons, arranged in classes as follows, 
viz. : Ministers, Boston Ministers, Ministers' Wives, Women, Presi- 
dents of the United States, Soldiers, College Of&cers, Miscellaneous, 
etc. Seven of these volumes, in superior binding, comprise ser- 
mons, eulogies, etc., on men who have filled the office of Judge. 
10 ■ • 



82 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

The importance of these two thousand pamphlets and upwards, 
thus arranged and preserved, in connection with the department 
of special biography, can hardly be over-estimated. In addition to 
the foregoing, are twenty-two volumes of Century and Centennial 
Discourses, abounding in town and local histories, and furnishing 
rich material for historians and antiquaries ; five volumes hand- 
somely bound, containing nearly a hundred Half-Century Ser- 
mons, preached by men who had been settled fifty years over a 
single parish, and extending over a period of one hundred and 
fifty years ; twenty-four volumes of Discourses delivered at the 
Dedication of Churches, Colleges, School Houses, Hospitals, Ceme- 
teries, Public Halls, Libraries, etc., etc. ; ten volumes of Anniver- 
sary Discourses; twelve volumes of Missionary Sermons, includ- 
ing all the printed sermons that have been delivered before the 
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and 
making, it is believed, the only complete set in existence ; twelve 
volumes of Fourth of July Orations, including all delivered before 
the Municipal authorities of Boston (and published) from 1800 to 
the present time ; a complete set, in four volumes, of the annual 
Sermons and Reports of the Maine Missionary Society ; five vol- 
umes of Discourses on Washington; five volumes of Phi Beta 
Kappa Addresses ; besides volumes of Miscellaneous Pamphlets, 
Plymouth Discourses, Addresses to Alumni, Fast and Thanksgiving 
Sermons, Education Sermons, Election Sermons, Introductory Ser- 
mons, Farewell Discourses, Theological Discussions, Jubilee Dis- 
courses, etc., etc. The entire Metcalf Collection now numbers, 
January 1, 1867, three hundred and fifty-seven bound volumes, 
comprising nearly ten thousand pamphlets. The labor and 
patience required in securing these, by diligent inquiry and 
extensive correspondence, can only be appreciated by those who 
have been engaged in similar pursuits. In addition to all this, 
Judge Metcalf has made advantageous purchases of books for 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 83 

the Library Committee from year to year, besides making valua- 
ble donations to the Library, including a set of Reports of Cases 
argued and determined in the Supreme Judicial Court of Massa- 
chusetts, edited by himself He has thus shown a spirit of liberal 
and warm regard for the place of his education, which the lapse 
of time has not changed, and which is worthy the emulation of 
all the sons of the College. 

A set of the Biographie Universelle, fifty-two volumes in 
twenty-six, in elegant calf binding, was presented to the Library 
in April, 1843, by Mrs. Hope Ives, Mrs. Charlotte R Goddard, 
Mrs. Robert H. Ives, and Mrs. Moses B. Ives. 

The donations which have thus far been mentioned were for the 
most part unsohcited. Some of them at the present day may seem 
of trifling value. They are not placed on record as possessed of 
great interest in themselves, but as a just tribute to friends in the 
mother country, and to men, who, in times of kss prosperity than 
that which the College now enjoys, contributed liberally towards 
laying the foundations of an honored and useful Institution. 

We now come to a new era in our history. Soon after the 
accession of the Rev. Dr. Wayland to the Presidency of the Col- 
lege, efforts were made to increase the efiiciency of the Library, 
and thus provide enlarged means of liberal and generous intel- 
lectual culture, by raising a Fund for the purchase of books. At 
a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Corporation, held 
January 10, 1831, it was unanimously resolved : — 

1. That immediate measures be taken to raise by subscription, the sum of twenty- 
five thousand dollars, to be appropriated to the purchase of books for the Library and 
apparatus for the Philosophical and Chemical departments of Brown University. 

2. Resolved, That the Chairman and Thomas P. Ives, be a Committee to carry 

the foregoino; resolution into effect. ^ wt /yi • 

° ° r . Wayland, (Jhairman. 

Soon afterwards, a meeting of the friends of the Institution was 
called, for the purpose of seconding this effort. At this meeting the 



84 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

wants of the Library and the importance of supplying them were 
presented and urged by President Wayland, Alexis Caswell, D. D., 
Professor of Mathematics, and John Pitman, LL. D., Judge of the 
United States District Court, and a member of the Board of Fel- 
lows. Previously to this, however, the Hon. Nicholas Brown had, 
with his wonted munificence, subscribed ten thousand dollars 
towards the fund. The subscription was opened, with the follow- 
ing conditions : — 

1. The whole amount shall be invested in a permanent fund, of which the interest 
shall be, from time to time, appropriated exclusively to the objects stated in the 
resolution. 

2. The selection of books and apparatus shall be made by a joint committee of the 
Corporation and Government of the University. 

3. One-third of the amount subsciibed shall become due on the first day of Octo- 
ber, 1832; another third on the first day of October, 1833; and the remainder on 
the first day of October, 1834. 

4. A copy of the subscribers' names, and of the sums subscribed by each, shall 
be deposited in the Library, and another among the archives of the University. 

In stating the object for which the meeting had been called, 
President Wayland remarked substantially, that all the efforts for 
the intellectual improvement of mankind were comprehended 
under two classes. First, effort for the advancement of science, 
and secondly, for its universal diffusion. In the first instance, he 
continued, we enter the dominion of knowledge, and discover the 
laws of the universe, and in the second, we put the knowledge thus 
attained within the power of every grade of society. It is to the 
second of these purposes, that the labors of this country have been 
directed. We have established common schools in every portion 
of the older states, and by means of them the facilities for acquir- 
ing elementary education have become abundant. To the real 
advancement, however, of science, we have actually done almost 
nothing. We import our learning scantily, from abroad. Even 
our universities have employed themselves in the diffusion, rather 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY 



86 



than in the advancement of science ; and even for this compara- 
tively humble effort, they are but ill prepared. Our universities 
and colleges are at present known principally by the magnitude 
and the number of their edifices. If the student wishes to push 
his inquiries into any science beyond the ordinary routine of 
instruction, where shall he go, in our country, for the means of 
information ? If he enter our college halls and ask for books, he 
is shown long rows of lodging-rooms. If he inquire for instru- 
ments for philosophical research, he is pointed to large piles of 
brick and mortar. K the teacher desires to investigate truth for 
himself, and cooperate with the learned of Europe in the advance- 
ment of knowledge, where in this country can he go to avail him- 
self of the researches of past ages ? The humiliating answer is 
found in the fact that, in each of the learned professions, the most 
valuable books with which we enrich our libraries could not have 
been written in this country, for the knowledge which they embody 
could not have been found here. 

And besides, the speaker added in conclusion, instructors can- 
not furnish themselves with libraries. Their income does not 
admit of it, nor can a library, such as the cause of science 
demands, be collected in a single life-time. It must be the 
accumulated wisdom of past ages, added to the wisdom of our 
own. Such a library can be procured only by pubHc munifi- 
cence, and by that munificence so directed as to collect, from 
time to time, the rich results of the intellectual labor of man. 

The following is a list of the subscriptions, most of which were 
procured by the exertions of Dr. Wayland and Dr. Caswell: — 



Nicholas Brown, Providence, $10,000 

Thomas Poynton Ives, " 1,000 

John Bowen, New York, 1,000 

James Arnold, New Bedford, 300 

Nathaniel R. Cobb, Boston, 250 



Francis Wayland, Providence, 
Moses Brown Ives, " 
Robert Hale Ives, " 
Samuel Ward, New York, 
John B. Jones, Boston, 



200 
200 
200 
150 



86 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



Richard Fletclier, Boston, 

Thomas Burgess, Providence, 

Amasa Mason, " 

William Baylies, Bridgewater, 

Richard James Arnold, Providence, 

William Taylor Grrinnell, 

William Giles Goddard, 

Alexis Caswell, " 

Ebenezer Burgess, Dedham, 

Sullivan Dorr, Providence, 

Timothy G. Coffin, New Bedford, 

John Kelly Simpson, Boston, 

Heman Lincoln, 

Lucius BoUes, 

Ebenezer Thresher, 

John Kelly Simpson, Jr., 

Ward Jackson, 

Edward Tuckerman, 

William B. Reynolds, 

Levi Farwell, Cambridge, 

Ichabod Macomber, Boston, 

Amos Binney, " 

Benjamin ShurtleflF, " 

Samuel W. Bridgham, Providence, 

John Brown Francis, Warwick, 

George Ide Chace, Providence, 

Charles Russell, New York, 

John Ward, 

Richard R. Ward, 

J.&W. Kelly&Co., 

Thomas Purser, 

WiUiam B. Crosby, 

A. M'Intire, 

Spencer H. Cone, 

Ehza Ward, Providence, 

Solomon Peck, Boston, 

John Spence, " 

John Sullivan, " 

William Tully Dorrance, Providence, 



$150 
150 
150 
150 
150 
150 
125 
125 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

75 

75 

60 

60 



Joseph L. Tillinghast, Providence, 

Theron Metcalf, Boston, 51 

Zachariah Eddy, Middleborough, 51 

Cyrus Lothrop, Easton, 51 

Samuel Leonard Crocker, Taunton, 50 

William Allen Crocker, " 50 

Moses Pond, Boston, 50 

Samuel Hill, " 50 

Peter Pratt, Providence, 50 

Richard Ward Greene, Providence, 50 

John Pitman, " 50 

John Kingsbury, " 50 

Charles Potter, " 50 

Benjamin Hoppin, " 50 

Frances R. Arnold, " 50 

Timothy R. Greene, New York, 50 

James Brown, Providence, 50 

John W. Francis, New York, 50 

George Colgate, " 50 

William Colgate, " 50 

William Larned Marcy, New York, 50 

Michael Shepard, Salem, 50 

Wilham Leet Stone, New York, 50 

Charles H. Warren, New Bedford, 50 

William Taber Hawes, " 38 

John Henry CMbrd, " 30 

Harrison Gray Otis Colby, Taunton, 30 

John I>ix Fisher, Boston, 30 

Elnathan Pierce Hathaway, Assonet, 30 

John Barstow, Providence, 30 
Thomas Francis Carpenter, Providence, 30 

Mark A. D'W. Howe, Roxbury, 30 

Elisha Dyer, Jr., Providence, 30 

Horatio Pratt, Taunton, 30 

Samuel T. Armstrong, Boston, 27 

A. Maclay, New York, 25 

Joseph Mauran, Providence, 25 

I Isaac Davis, Worcester, 25 

Thomas Kinnicutt, Worcester, 25 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 



87 



John Green, Worcester, $25 

Jacob H. Loud, New Bedford, 25 

Isaac Davis, Boston, 20 

John Jeffries, " 20 

William Samuel Patten, Providence, 15 

William Nichols, Boston, 15 



Hiram Jacobs, Boston, $10 

Josiah Bobbins, New Bedford, 10 

Joseph Sampson, Kingston, 10 

Joseph Holmes, " 10 

Timothy Gilbert, Boston, 10 



The sum thus obtained, amounting to nineteen thousand four 
hundred and thirty-eight dollars, was placed at interest until it 
had accumulated to twenty-five thousand dollars, and was then 
invested in a permanent fund, in the stock of the Blackstone 
Canal Bank, in Providence, according to the provisions of the 
subscription, as before specified. The first dividend became due 
in July, 1839. Since that time the proceeds have been regularly 
appropriated according to the design of the donors. 

By a subsequent vote of the Corporation, all the subscribers 
to the Library Fund, as well as all the subscribers to the fund 
raised for the erection of Rhode Island Hall, and all donors to 
the Library to the amount of forty dollars", residing in the city of 
Providence, were admitted to the free use of the Library. 

The room appropriated to the Library, at the time when the 
Library Fund was raised, " was an apartment in University Hall, 
crowded to excess, unsightly and wholly unsuited for the purpose 
to which, from necessity, it was devoted." To remedy this defect, 
the Hon. Nicholas Brown erected at his own expense a beautiful 
edifice, for a Library and Chapel ; to which, in testimony of venera- 
tion for his former instructor, he gave the name of Manning Hall. 
At the dedication, February 4, 1835, Dr. Wayland delivered a dis- 
course on the " Dependence of Science upon Revealed Religion," 
which was published in a pamphlet form for circulation. 

This hall, the third College building which has been erected, 
is of the Dorick order, built of rubble stone, and covered with 
cement. Including the portico, it is about ninety feet in length, 
by forty-two in width. Its height, from the top of the basement. 



88 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

is forty feet. The Library occupies the whole of the first floor, 
which is a beautiful room, ornamented in the centre with a double 
row of fluted columns, from which the shelves extend to the 
walls, forming twelve alcoves. Its dimensions are sixty-four feet 
by thirty-eight, and thirteen feet high. Extra shelves for the 
accommodation of the books have been constructed in every avail- 
able place throughout, and already they are completely filled. 
This, together with the fact, that the building is not fire-proof, 
and, like most library edifices in this country, is constructed with 
reference to beauty of outward proportion and architectural 
efiect, rather than to convenience of interior arrangements, abso- 
lutely essential to the efficient working of a good public library, 
points to the necessity of a more capacious, convenient, and sub- 
tantial building. 

In 1843, the Library, which, on the 1st of January contained 
ten thousand two hundred and thirty-five bound volumes, was 
newly arranged, and a full catalogue of its contents, prepared by 
Professor C. C. Jewett, now Superintendent of the Free Public 
Library of Boston, was printed. This Catalogue was favorably 
noticed in the North American Review, and in other leading 
periodicals, and drew especial attention to this important depart- 
ment of the Institution. It is alphabetical, according to the 
names of authors, and has a copious and analytical index of sub- 
jects. A supplement, on cards, has been prepared, but it will not 
probably be printed. 

Soon after the publication of the Catalogue, a Chair of Mod- 
ern Languages was established at the College, and Mr. Jewett 
was appointed the Professor elect. During his absence in Europe, 
whither he had gone for the purposes of professional study, and 
to enable the friends of the Institution to carry out more effect- 
ually their wishes for the increase of the Library, a fund of five 
thousand dollars was raised for the purchase of English books, 



HISTOEY OF THE LIBRARY. 89 

and the foundations of a French, German and Italian library 
were laid. The condition and prospects of the Library at this 
time, may best be learned from the interesting annual report of 
the Library Committee, presented to the Corporation in Septem- 
ber, 1844. We present copious extracts: — 

At the regular monthly meeting of the Committee, in November, Mr. Prof. 
Grammell was requested to prepare a circular, to be addressed to the graduates and 
friends of the College, and intended to invite their cooperation in the good work of 
advancing the prosperity of the Library. Mr. Gammell, at a subsequent meeting, 
reported a draught of the proposed circular, which was adopted by the Committee, and, 
after being signed by each member, was ordered to be printed. The following extract 
embraces the substance of this document, and fully explains its design : — 

" The Library of Brown University, as is generally known, is dependent for its 
growth on the proceeds of a fund of twenty-five thousand dollars, which has been 
raised by subscription, and set apart mainly for this purpose. Some portion of the 
income of this fund is annually absorbed by appropriations for the increase of the 
philosophical and chemical apparatus. The remainder is devoted exclusively to the 
purchase of books for the Library. Under the operation of this new provision for its 
benefit, the Library, within the last few years, has been considerably enlarged, and its 
value greatly enhanced. But it will, after all, continue to be lamentably deficient as 
an aid to public erlucation, and as a depository of learning, unless it obtain from the 
graduates and friends of the College yet further tokens of their interest in its welfare. 
From the very excellent catalogue which has just been published, it will be seen what 
are the actual wants of the Library — how imperfectly supplied are some departments 
of literature and science, and how entirely destitute are others. The Committee, 
therefore, while they hope that the permanent character and high usefulness of the 
Library, and its security as a depository of books for the benefit of other generations, 
will, at all times, invite frequent and liberal donations from the graduates and friends 
of the College, venture more particularly, now, to solicit such volumes and pamphlets, 
as may be willingly spared, of the following or of kindred classes : 

"1. Any complete files of American newspapers. 2. Any published discourses, 
whether sermons, orations or addresses. 3. Any printed pamphlets, not included in thie 
preceding description, which may be illustrative of the character of the times. 4. Any pub- 
lications relating to the history of collegiate or other education. 5. Ancient pamphlets 
or other works pertaining to the history of this State, or of any of the United States. 

" These several classes of books have been specified by the Committee, but they 
desire it to be understood that the College will be grateful for any donations which its 
friends may be pleased to make to its Library. 
12 



90 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

" The Committee take this occasion to invite the friends and graduates of the Col- 
lege to place in the Library any works which they themselves have published. All 
such works will be gratefully accepted from their authors as a tribute of respect to the 
place of their education, and will be faithfully preserved as among the literary fruits 
which the College has, from time to time, produced." 

The Committee have reason to believe, from the number of books and pamphlets 
which have been presented during the past year, that the foregoing circular has been 
instrumental, to some extent, in attracting towards the Library the friendly regards of 
the graduates and friends of the University. 

The Committee take great pleasure in inviting the attention of the Honorable Cor- 
poration to a very important plan now in progress for the increase of the Library. 
Deeply sensible of the wants of the Library — wants which the avails of the permanent 
fund, now much reduced in amount by the low rate of interest, would, under any 
circumstances, be entirely inadequate to supply — the Committee deemed it to be their 
imperative duty to appeal to the liberality of friends of the University in behalf of 
one of its most impiirtant interests. More than six months ago, the Committee there- 
fore caused a subscription to be opened for the purpose of raising a sum not less than 
five thousand dollars, to be expended, as soon as may be, in the purchase of standard 
works, in the English language. The plan devised by the Committee for- supplying the 
most pressing wants of the Library, met a very cordial and prompt response on the 
part of those friends of the College who have been solicited to contribute their aid. 
One gentleman, a citizen of Providence, and a member of the Corporation of this 
University, imparted to the project a decided impulse, by pledging himself to con- 
tribute towards the amount proposed to be raised, the sum of one thousand dollars. A 
few other gentlemen, some of whom are neither graduates of the University nor mem- 
bers of the Corporation, have likewise pledged themselves in various sums, amounting 
in all, to two thousand and fifty dollars. The whole amount thus far subscribed 
towards an object which it is so desirable to accomplish, without delay, is therefore 
three thousand and fifty dollars. For reasons, which it is unnecessary to state, no 
progress has for several months been made in the proposed subscription. The graduates 
and the friends of the University, when they come to learn what has been done in this 
matter, and what remains to be done, will not, it is confidently believed, suffer a 
project which promises so much benefit to the Library, to languish for the want of their 
zealous and efficient cooperation. The Committee cannot dismiss this topic without 
most earnestly commending to the Honorable Corporation of the University, individ- 
ually and collectively, the important plan for the increase of the Library which now 
awaits consummation, and which, with efficient effi)rt, might, ere the lapse of another 
month, be brought to a successful result. The Librarian, Mr. Jewett, before his return, 
will visit London. His zeal in behalf of the Library, and his rare skill in the pur- 



HISTOKY OF THE LIBKARY. 91 

chase of books, indicate the wisdom of confiding to him the expenditure of whatever 
sum may be raised by the subscription now in progress. The Committee have made 
these suggestions in the belief that the friends of the College will, without delay, make 
a vigorous effort to place in the hands of Mr. Jewett ample pecuniary means for the 
purchase of standard works in the mother tongue. Such an opportunity for the 
judicious and economical expenditure of money, it is not too much to say, has never 
occurred since the establishment of this University. Such an opportunity may never 
occur again. Could the sum of ten thousand dollars be raised, the Committee are of 
the opinion that, in the hands of Mr. Jewett, it might be made adequate to the 
pui'chase of not less than ten thousand volumes. 

Since the last annual report of the joint Jjibrary Committee, 2,201 volumes have 
been added to the Library — 459 by purchase, and 1,742 by donation. The whole 
number of volumes reported last year as belonging to the Library, was 10,523, 
exclusive of pamphlets and odd volumes not catalogued. The whole number is 
now 12,724, exclusive of pamphlets. 

The additions which have been made may be classified as follows, viz. : 123 folios; 
188 quartos; 1,179 octavos; 690 duodecimos, and smaller; 21 maps, charts, etc. 

Among the most valuable works purchased under the direction of the Committee, may 
be mentioned the Gentleman's Magazine, in one hundred and twenty-five volumes 
(well bound) from its commencement in the year 1731, to the year 1820. Regarded 
simply as an authentic and consecutive record of the great events which signalized the 
last hundred years, this work may be deemed as essential to every public library. 
With how much warmer interest do we peruse its various contents, when we recollect 
that among its early contributors were Johnson and Burke, and others of that constel- 
lation of scholars and wits, who illustrated one of the most brilliant epochs in the 
literary history of England ! 

The Library has recently undergone an examination, and it speaks well for the 
care of the Librarian, and for the exact obedience of the under-graduates to the regu- 
lations of the Library, that, within the past year, not a book has been lost. The 
Committee are pleased to add, that to the officers of instruction the Library is becoming, 
every year, more valuable ; and the records of the Library indicate that the under- 
graduates resort more frequently to its treasures than heretofore, for the purpose of 
investigating subjects connected with their course of study, and of relaxing their 
minds, after the fatigues of severe intellectual pursuit 

The scientific and literary departments of the Library have been greatly enriched, 
during the past year, by the liberal donations of one of the sons of this University. 
While Mr. Jewett was residing in Paris, a gentleman of Providence, entirely without 
solicitation from any quarter, placed in his hands ample means for the purchase of such 
books as he might select to constitute the foundation of a French Library, adequate to 



92 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

the immediate wants of the University. These means were appropriated by Mr. 
Jewett, under the most favorable circumstances, and with a judgment and taste in the 
selection of the books which the committee cannot, without the risk of seeming extrava- 
gant, sufficiently commend. This most valuable collection embraces eighty-nine folios, 
eio-hty-eight quartos, seven hundred and thirty-five octavos, four hundred and eighty 
smaller sized volumes and twenty maps. Total, one thousand four hundred and twelve, 
all of approved editions, many of them truly elegant, and all bound in the most neat 
and thorough style. In this collection are to be found the choicest of the French 
classics — the best fruits of French genius, in the departments of history, biography, 
philosophy, eloquence and poetry. 

The committee cordially congratulate the Corporation on what must be deemed the 
creation of a most important department in the Library of the University. The French 
language is hereafter to form a part of the regular academical instructions of the 
University ; and Mr. Jewett, the Professor of Modem Languages, will find, in the 
Library, ample means not only to facilitate his task as a teacher of the elements of 
the French language, but to introduce his pupils to an acquaintance with the classical 
authors of France — to imbue them with a genuine yelish for the characteristic beauties 
of French literature — to render them, in some sort, familiar with the mind of that 
extraordinary people whose achievements in war, in the fine arts, in the exact and in 
the physical sciences, and in nearly every department of elegant literature, seem almost 
to justify their claim to stand at the head of modern civilization. 

The scientific collections of the Library have been still farther enriched by the 
Transactions op the Royal Society, in forty-eight volumes, quarto, likewise pre- 
sented by a gentleman of Providence, (Mr. Brown.) The remainder of this series, it 
is understood, has been ordered for the Library. 

As Mr. Jewett is now in Germany, where he will continue till he visits Italy, the 
Committee have authorized the treasurer to remit to him the sum of two hundred 
pounds sterling, to be invested, at his discretion, in German editions and illustrations 
of the ancient classics, and likewise in works, which will help to familiarize to the 
minds of our students the rich and varied literature of that land of authors and schol- 
ars. The expediency of this investment requires no vindication. Such is the intrinsic 
value, and such the wide celebrity of German literature, that a knowledge of the lan- 
guage which embodies it, and to a considerable extent, exclusively embodies it, has 
come to be considered, in the United States, as an essential part of a liberal education. 
The Committee rejoice that such is the fact — they welcome it as an indication that our 
country is beginning to demand of our literary and scientific men a more generous 
culture, and that a higher standard of scholarship is about to be established in all our 
institutions of learning. While they would be the last to underrate the wealth of our 
own language and literature, they believe that the scholar who is familiar with the 



HISTOEY OF THE LIBRAEY. 93 

German maj command access to ricli mines of thought and research, in which the 
English mind has hardly begun to work. They are aware that the German imagination 
loves to deal sometimes in what is wild and fanciful, and sometimes in what is myste- 
rious and terrific. They are persuaded, however, that its creations, fall as they are of 
beauty and of power, will fail to pervert the sedate and genuine impulses of English 
thought and fancy and feeling, and that our scholars, and all, indeed, who cultivate 
the German tongue, will exercise a genuine eclectic spirit — that, fascinated neither by 
the false philosophy nor by the extravagant fictions of Germany, they will extract from 
her sterling literature the means for more extended and accurate research in every 
department of learning ; the elements of a truer and less exclusive taste in letters ; 
the materials of a more profound and expansive generalization of the principles which 
govern human action. 

In concluding their report, the Committee commend anew the Library to the favora- 
ble regard of the honorable Corporation, as one of the commanding interests of the 
University. They are solicitous that its importance to the other interests of this Insti- 
tution — to the cause of sound learning — and to the highest welfare of this community, 
should not be undervalued. This Institution was founded eighty years ago, for the 
purpose of promoting, in the language of its charter, ' ' the liberal arts and universal 
literature." It is mortifying to reflect, how little, till within a few years, has been 
done to make the Library to correspond, in any sense, to the comprehensive design of 
the venerable fathers of this University. They were true to the great trust which they 
undertook to discharge. At an early day, and with limited means, they did what they 
could to lay broad and deep t.he foundations of this Institution. Faithful to the high 
trust committed to our hands, let us, then, in our turn, use the more ample means with 
which we are endowed, not only in promoting the prosperity of the Library, but in 
enlarging, in all respects, the capacities of this University to diffuse the blessings of 
sound learning — to elevate the standard of American scholarship — to invigorate the 
tone of social morality — and to spread, far and wide, the transforming influences of 
Christian truth. 

The foregoing report, in which the skillful pen of Professor 
Gammell is readily traced, alludes, it will be seen, to a fund for 
the purchase of English books. This fund, amounting to five 
thousand and sixty dollars, was completed early in May, 1845. 
The following is a list of the contributors, which we gladly place 
on permanent record, as an act of justice to them, and for the 
encouragement of future patrons of learning and literature : — 



94 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 




Estate of T. P. Ives, Providence, 


$1,200 


Abbott Lawrence, Boston, 


100 


A Friend, (J. C. Brown,) '^ 


1,000 


Henry Marchant, Providence, 


100 


A Friend, 


250 


Thomas M. Burgess, " 


50 


Amory Chapin, " 


200 


Charles S. Bradley, " 


50 


Amasa Manton, " 


200 


Benjamin Cozzens, " - 


50 


Seth Adams, Jr., " 


200 


William Sprague, " 


50 


William Appleton, Boston, 


200 


Owen Mason, " 


50 


Horatio N. Slater, Providence, 


200 


Thomas Lloyd Halsey, " 


50 


Michael Shepard, Salem, 


200 


William Baylies, Bridgewater, 


50 


Francis Way land, Providence, 


200 


William Foster, Providence, 


25 


Samuel Gr. xirnold, " 


150 


Samuel Hunt, " 


25 


Isaac Davis, Worcester, 


100 


Samuel Foster, " 


25 


Thomas L. Bunnell, Providence, 


100 


Alvah Woods, " 


25 


A Friend, " 


100 


William T. Dorrance, " 


10 


Mrs. F. Arnold and Mrs. C. E. Grreen, 








Providence, 


100 


Total, 


$5,060 



The Librarian, Prof. Jewett, having accomphshed the object 
of his visit to Europe, returned in December, 1845, and resumed 
the duties of his office. The following extracts from his report 
to the Library Committee, which we find incorporated in the 
annual report of the joint Library Committee to the Corporation, 
presented in September, 1846, will furnish a clear and compre- 
hensive account of his purchases while abroad, and be interesting 
to the bibliographer, and collector of books. 

We begin our extracts with a table, showing the number of 
volumes of the various sizes in each purchase, the whole cost in 
the currency of the countries where the books were bought, 
together with the average price per volume of each purchase, 
and of the whole : — 

The whole sum of money is, in Federal currency, say $8,485.41. The whole 
number of volumes is 7,021. The average price per volume is, therefore, $1.20. It 
should be observed that this price includes binding, (and the books with few exceptions 
are substantially and well bound,) and all other expenses of every kind up to the time 
of shipping. 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 



95 





d 
o 


d 


i 

o 
o 





■43 o 

o ■* 


O 

en 


Whole cost 
in money of 
the country. 


Average 
price per 
Volume in 
money of 
the country. 




French Books. 














e 


ff 


$ cts. 


Mr. Brown's order, 


89 


88 


735 


480 


20 


1,412 


5.459 10 


3 64 


66 


GrEEMAN BoOKS. 




















Mr. Brown's order. 




256 


697 


218 


38 


1,209 


4,040 


3 34 


63 


Italian Books. 




















Mr. Brown's order, 


32 


48 


295 


83 


16 


474 


4,560 89 


9 62 


1 82 


German Books. 














th. s. gro. 


th. 




College order. 


1 


10 


421 


33 




465 


690 15 9 


1 12 


1 02 


French Books. 














ff 


ff 




College order. 


8 


5 


59 


5 


46 


123 


1,885 80 


15 


2 85 


English Books. 














£ s. d. 


s. d. q. 




College order. 


196 


235 


2,438 


444 


25 


3,338 


1,066 1 7 


6 4 2 


1 53 


Total, 




326'642 


4,542 


1,263 


145 


7,021 






$1 20 



The books lately purchased for our Library, have been selected in view of the 
previous state of the collection and our own immediate wants, and entirely without 
reference to the cost. Some books have been purchased which would not have been 
first chosen ; generally because they were bought in lots which contained others more 
important ; but my general rule has been, first to make out vrith the utmost care a list 
of the books most needed, and then to purchase these books at the lowest possible prices. 

The editions chosen are, for the most part, the very best which have been printed 
of the respective works. The object was to select editions of standard value for com- 
pleteness, and elegance, and accuracy of execution ; such editions as would always 
retain their value, even though others, and more costly, and, on the whole, better ones, 
should be printed. This was in many cases a very difficult part of my duty. This is 
the part where bibliographical skill and knowledge are most indispensable for a 
librarian. 

I have paid particular attention to the condition of the copies. As far as it was 
possible, I collated the books myself, page by page, and where it was not possible for 
me to do it myself, I procured trusty men to collate them, in order to be sure that the 
copies were perfect and entire. 

When I left America, John C. Brown, Esq., requested me to collect all the infor- 
mation which I could in reference to the book trade in France, and communicate with 
him on the subject ; and, at the same time, he intimated his intention to purchase a 
French Library for the College. I accordingly spent much of my time during the 
first three months in Paris, in the book shops and libraries, and wrote Mr. Brown the 



96 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

results of my investigations. He immediately forwarded to me a draft for five thousand 
francs, requesting me to buy with this sum such French books as I might judge most 
desirable for our Ijibrary, directing that such as were purchased should be standard 
works in good editions and well bound. For about three months I devoted myself 
almost exclusively to the selection and purchase of the books. 

Some of the more important of these works may well be made the subject of 
special notice. 

Among them is a set of the Moniteur Universel, complete from its commencement 
to 1826, with the introduction, tables, etc., in seventy-seven volumes, folio, — the 
original edition, a clean copy, well bound, purchased at the sale of the library of an 
English gentleman who had for several years resided in Paris. This is an invaluable 
work, of which there are very few copies in the country, and perhaps no copy so perfect 
as this. 

The Description de l'Egypte, one of the most magnificent and costly works ever 
published, was also purchased at the same sale for about one-quarter of the price at 
which it is sold at the book auctions in Paris. It is of the second edition, and con- 
sists of twenty-six volumes of text and about five hundred folio engravings. Among 
these books is also a complete set of the new series, of the Memoirs, etc., published 
by four out of five of the Academies of the French Institute, viz. : The Academy 
OF Sciences, the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, the Academy of the 
Fine Arts, and the French Academy, This set contains sixty-one handsomely and 
newly-bound quarto volumes. The Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres 
can easily be obtained separately. 

There is also a collection of Memoirs relative to the history of France, arranged 
and edited by Messrs. Guizot and Petitot, in one hundred and sixty-two volumes, 8vo, 
uniformly and elegantly bound. This collection is of the first importance to any one 
who would acquire a thorough knowledge of French history. 

The editions of the French classics are worthy of special attention. They are 
nearly all of them the best and most costly which have been published. The apparatus 
for the thorough study of the French language and literature may be regarded as 
comparatively rich. 

After the receipt of the French books, Mr. Brown forwarded me the sum of four 
thousand francs, to be expended for German books, with instructions similar to those 
which he had given for the previous purchase. Upon this commission, I bestowed no 
less time and labor than upon the other. The task of selection was, however, more 
difficult, owing to the astonishing copiousness of the literature, and the singular 
destitution of such bibliographical aids as Brunei & Qu^rard furnished for French 
literature. 



HISTOEY OF THE LIBRAEY. 97 

The German importation contains as large a selection of works from standard 
German authors as the funds entrusted to me enabled me to purchase. This selection 
contains a good apparatus for a thorough study of the language. There is a complete 
set of the Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliotiiek, in one hundred and thirty-nine volumes, 
octavo, and the Allgemeine Literatur-Zeitdng, in one hundred and thirty-four vol- 
umes, quarto, the two containing a complete history of German literature for the last 
hundred years. Also, a set of Brsch & Gbuber's Encyclopgedia, complete, as far as 
then published, in seventy-two volumes, quarto, — the most extensive and valuable work 
of the kind ever published, and so far as known, the only copy which has as yet been 
brought to this country ; also, several valuable Maps and Engravings, and a large 
number of important works in all departments of learning. 

I should mention in this connection, that at the suggestion of a friend of mine — 
an officer in the Royal Guards — I sent a written request to the King of Prussia for a 
History of the Seven Years' War, published by the Prussian Military Staff; — a work 
not to be obtained at the shops, but only by application to the King. His Majesty 
was pleased to present the work, and it has been received through His Excellency 
Henry Wheaton, late Minister of the United States to Berlin. This is a work indis- 
pensable for the thorough study of this important period of history, and is, perhaps, 
the only copy in the United States. 

While in Germany, I also received the sum of one hundred pounds sterling from the 
Library Committee, with directions to expend the same in the purchase of such books as 
were immediately needed in the departments of Greek and Latin Classics. Selection 
here was a most difficult task. A complete apparatus for the study of any one of the 
more popular authors, would cost more than the whole sum entrusted to me ; and it 
was very difficult to decide what to reject. I have, however, the satisfaction to know 
that the choice made meets the approbation of the Professors of these departments, and 
of other eminent linguists who have examined the collection. Indeed, I was very 
confident it would, as I had made the selection with the assistance of eminent classical 
scholars. To the Professor of Latin in Brown University, (J. L. Lincoln,) then in 
Germany, I was particularly indebted for valuable hints, and lists of books. The 
number of books and the cost per volume, is given in the preceding table. It will 
be observed that the cost per volume of the books in this department is considerably 
higher than in any other, excepting that of the fine arts. 

Mr. Jewett's account of the Italian purchase is as follows : — 

Subsequently to the German purchase, Mr. Brown forwarded to me the sum of 
six thousand francs, to be expended in Italy for the most valuable Italian books, 
including some on the fine arts, of which, our Library was lamentably barren. The 
13 



98 BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Italian Classics purchased are, for the most part, of the choicest library editions, some 
of them large-paper copies and all well bound. The average price per volume of this 
importation is very high. This is owing to the large number of elegant illustrated 
works. Some of these demand particular attention. Canina's Work on Architecture, 
Egyptian, Grecian, and Roman, comprising nine volumes, octavo, of text, and three thick 
volumes folio, of large and handsomely engraved plates, is one of the most magnificent 
works of the age. This work is not only invaluable to architects ; it is of great 
importance to the classical department, containing, as it does, restorations of all the 
more important monuments of Grreece and Rome, of which, only fragments now remain 
to us. It also contains plans, on a large scale, of Rome and Athens, and other ancient 
cities It. Vaticano, in eight thick volumes, folio, contains a minute description, 
with beautiful etchings, of St. Peter's church and the Vatican, and all the collections 
of art which adorn the latter. This superb work was published by order of the Papal 
Government. The contract for publishing it was given to a bookseller, who agreed to 
furnish a certain number of sheets if desired, supposing that this number would cover 
the whole. But the work had advanced only to the middle of the eighth volume, 
when the number of pages contracted for had been printed. The publisher demanded 
an additional appropriation for finishing the work. This was refused, and he bound up 
the number of copies contracted for by the government and delivered them in their 
unfinished state. He subsequently completed the work at his own expense. It is 
important, therefore, in purchasing the work, to shun the government copies. Our 
copy is complete. Il Campidoglio, in two large volumes, folio, is a work upon the 
Capitol, similar to that upon the Vatican, which has just been described. 

The MusEO Borbonico contains an account of all the collections of the Naples 
Museum ; and it should be remembered that all the movable articles which have been 
recovered from Herculaneum and Pompeii are deposited there. Of this work, there 
are several editions more or less complete. The most perfect in all respects, is that 
published by the Neapolitan Government, of which ours is a copy. This edition is 
very rare and costly everywhere out of Italy. I do not know of any other copy than 
ours in this country, though it is possible there are others. It is in thirteen volumes, 
quarto. The work is not yet completed. 

The works of Thorwaldsen, in two volumes, folio, and those of Canova, in four 
volumes, octavo, are also in the collection, besides a large number of views in Italy, and 
engravings. There is also a large map, more than eight feet square, of ancient Rome, 
by Canina, a panoramic map of modern Rome eight and one-half feet long and four 
wide, and a large collection of works illustrating the typography and history of the 
eternal city. I also obtained from the collection of the Prince of Canino a few small 
Etruscan vases, genuine antiques. 



HISTOKY OF THE LIBRARY. 99 

On my return to Paris, continues Prof. Jewett, in the summer of 1845, I received 
a draft from the Committee for three thousand francs, with instructions to purchase ■with 
the same, a telescope for twelve hundred francs, and a list of scientific books, and to 
expend the balance on the purchase of such works, particularly such relating to the 
fine arts, as I might judge most needed. With the balance of the funds I purchased, 
among other works, the Musee Frangais and Musee Royal, in six volumes, folio, of 
beautiful engravings with letter press. This splendid work printed by order of the 
French government, contains engravings of all the best paintings and statues in the 
vast museum collected in Paris by Napoleon, and now distributed to its original owners, 
iu ail parts of Europe. The work may be considered as quite indispensable in every 
public library. To us who cannot see the originals, such a collection of engravings of 
ail the choicest monuments of ancient and modern art is of the greatest interest. It 
cannot fail to have a strong influence in forming and cultivating a taste for art among 
our students. 

The following English books are mentioned by Prof. Jewett, 
as worthy of special notice : — 

A complete set of Hansard's Parliamentary History and Debates, from 1066 to the 
close of the last session, in one hundred and seventy-eight large octavo volumes, uniformly 
bound in half Russia ; a complete set of the Monthly Review and the Gtentleman's 
Magazine, (in continuation of the parts already in the Library) ; the complete works 
of the most prominent English authors (oot before had) in every department of litera- 
ture, in the best editions ; a complete set of the ENCYCLOPiEDiA Meteopolitana, sub- 
stantially bound in half Russia, besides many valuable maps and engravings. There 
are also many costly scientific works, some elegant works on the fine arts, as the 
National Gtallery, Hogarth's works, valuable architectural works, Lodge's Por- 
traits, Sir William Gtell's Pompeiana, etc. There is also a very valuable selection 
from the Reports of the British Parliament, in upwards of one hundred folio volumes, 
well bound, purchased at the sale of the library of William Seymour Blackstone, 
M. p., grandson of the illustrious Sir William Blackstone. It may not be amiss to 
mention, that several of the books purchased derive additional interest from their 
containing autographs of distinguished individuals to whom they belonged. 

While in London, I received from Moses B. Ives, Esq., the sum of one hundred 
pounds sterling, with the request that I would expend the same in the purchase of 
books for the Library. At this time I had the rare good fortune to find a collection 
containing nearly all that has ever been published in the form of a separate essay or 
treatise relating to Shakspeare and his works. This collection was commenced more than 
twenty years ago, by Mr. Thomas Rodd, one of the most intelligent booksellers, and 



100 BEOWN UNIVEKSITY. 

probably the best bibliographer in London, It is almost perfect. Mr. Rodd possessed 
facilities for making such a collection which no other man enjoyed. It lacks but few, 
and those unimportant publications, known to exist in this department. The collection 
is, without doubt, by far the richest in this country, and perhaps the richest in the 
world. It does not contain all the editions of the works of the immortal bard. A 
collection of them would be quite beyond our present means. A good copy of the 
first edition has been sold for about a thousand dollars. Copies of the first edition of 
the separate plays are worth from ten to twenty or thirty guineas each. We have a 
fac simile of the first edition, which, for critical purposes, is very valuable. We have 
also the edition called " Stevens Own," Boswell's, Malone's and Knight's. These, with 
Collier's, are the most valuable that have been published 

This collection of Shakspeariana contains one hundred and 
ninety-six volumes, bound in full calf One of them is Ireland's 
original copy of his Confessions, inlaid, as the book-binders term 
it, with marginal notes in his own hand-writing. An addition has 
recently been made to the collection, of one hundred and fifty vol- 
umes, purchased at the sale of Burton's Shakspeariana, in New York ; 
and also of Boydell's Illustration of Shakspeare, in two immense 
folio volumes, presented by Mr. Ives. In 1862, Mr. Ives presented 
to the Library twenty-five bound volumes of the Peovidence Jouenal, 
from 1838 to 1850, and seven volumes of the Peovidence Morning 
Coueiee, from 1836 to 1840. These volumes of which, he con- 
tinued the Journal from year to year, are of obvious importance, 
as a continuous record of events pertaining to the annals of the 
city and the State, and especially of all the public occasions of 
the University, and of all facts and incidents belonging to its 
current history. Mr. Ives was a graduate of the College in the 
class of 1812, and for nearly thirty-two years was the efficient 
Treasurer of the Corporation. He died in 1857* He was an 

*Mr. Ives died on the 7tli of August, at the age of sixty-three. A discourse, in com- 
memoration of his life and character, was delivered by the Eev. Dr. Wayland, from which 
we cannot forhear making the following extract : "As Treasurer of the University, he was 
brought into more intimate relations with the officers of instruction. No one of them will, 
I am sure, forget the fraternal care with which he watched over their interests. Was any of 
them sick, — he was the first person to visit him, with offers of assistance. Was any one borne 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 101 

upright man, a model merchant, and, a warm, steadfast friend of 
the Institution. 

In March, 1844, Mr. Brown presented to the Library a set of 
the Year Books, from Edward I. to Henry VIII., in ten volumes, 
small folio, London, 1596-1640. In Wallace's Keporters chrono- 
logically arranged, (third edition, page sixty-seven,) we find 
respecting them the following note: "In 1689 the thirteen 
Judges of England had occasion to lament how scarce the older 
editions of the Year Books had become in the country where 
they were printed ; to an extent, say they, which had proved, 
'of no small detriment' to the study of the law itself It was a 
somewhat striking incident of a summer ramble in the North, 
that, in 1847, far along the track of two hundred years after- 
wards, and when nearly twice as long a term as had intervened 
between the date when the Year Books were printed and that in 
which the Judges complained of their scarceness — I should note 
a copy of them in a college library of the United States, the gift 
to it of an American merchant. In the Library of Brown Uni- 
versity, Providence, Rhode Island, bound in as fragrant Russia as 
ever shed its odors through the palace workshop of Hay day, 
M'Kenzie or Riviere, may be seen an edition of the Year Books, 
the gift of Mr. John Carter Brown," etc. 

Mr. Brown has continued to present, from year to year, valua- 
ble donations to the Library, chiefly of rare and costly books. 

down with labor, and in need of relaxation, — lie was the first to suggest the remedy, and 
the most active in providing the means for its accomplishment. In all the eflforts made, for 
the last thirty years, to increase the Library, and improve the facilities for education, he 
ever bore a prominent part. His interest never flagged, when anything could be suggested 
to improve the condition of the Institution which he loved so well. If, in any respect. 
Brown University has gained in favor with the public ; if it has taken a more honorable 
rank among the Colleges of New England ; if its means of education have been rendered, 
in any respect, ample, and its Board of Instruction such as would adorn any similar Insti- 
tution in our country ; to no one are we more indebted for all this, than to the late Treas- 
urer of the University." 



102 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Among them may be mentioned, in illustration, the following, 
viz. : JusTiNiANi Institutiones, large folio, Venetiis, N. Jenson, 
1477, — a splendid copy of one of the old illuminated books, 
bound in full Russia ; Babylonian Talmud, twelve volumes, folio, 
bound in full goat gilt, — a sumptuous copy; Baenard's Catalogus 
BibliothecaB Begiae, large paper, six volumes, folio; Mueatoei's 
Rerum Italicarum Scriptores, with Taetini's Continuation, thirty 
volumes, folio ; Jouenal des Debats, Paris, 1800-36, seventy-four 
volumes, folio ; Panzee's Annales Typographici, eleven volumes, 
quarto ; Livy's Decades a Lucca Porro Recognitae, folio, Tarvisi, 
J. Vercellius, 1482, — an uncommonly fine specimen of ancient 
typography; the London Cheonicle, 1757-98, eighty-three vol- 
umes, quarto, — a fine clean copy, edges un trimmed; Aeinghi's 
Roma Subterranea post Bossium, etc., two volumes, folio, 1659 ; 
Collection de Documents Inedits sur I'Histoire de France, ninety- 
two volumes, quarto ; Continuations down to the present time of 
Teansactions of the Royal Society, Memoiees de I'lnstitut National 
de France, Le Moniteue Univeesel, and Real Museo Boebonigo ; 
Nichol's Virgilii Maronis Hexaglotta, edited by Sotheby, folio, 
large paper, London, 1827 ; additions to the Shakspeaeian Collec- 
tion, etc., etc. 

During the year 1844, Mr. Philip Allen, Jr., presented to the 
Library, Vie de Napoleon, recontee par lui-meme, four volumes ; 
JoMmi's Precis de I'Art de la Guerre, two volumes ; Teaite des 
Geandes Opeeations Militaiees, four volumes ; Histoiee des Gueeees 
de la Revolution, fifteen volumes ; Kauslee's Great Military Atlas, 
with two hundred colored plates ; and a fine copy of the Geneeal 
Atlas of the Society for the Difiusion of Useful Knowledge. 

The Class which graduated in 1821, held a meeting in Provi- 
dence, a quarter of a century from the time of their graduation, 
at which a considerable sum of money was subscribed for the 
benefit of the Library, in token of their grateful interest in the 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 103 

Institution at which they were educated. The money thus 
obtained was placed in the hands of Dr. Thomas H. Webb, of 
Boston, who purchased, with excellent judgment, about five hun- 
dred volumes, mostly from the library of the Hon. John Picker- 
ing. They comprise a variety of works in history, literature and 
science, of standard character and of permanent value. Among 
them are fifty volumes of the Histoire de l'Academie Royal des 
Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, Fabricii Bibliotheca Greeca, four- 
teen volumes, quarto, and a large thick volume of Plutarch's 
Lives, in Latin, pubhshed at Rome, in 1471. This last volume is 
one of the oldest books in the Library. Such rare instances of 
liberality on the part of a class is deserving of special commenda- 
tion. We hope to chronicle many similar instances in the future. 
In arranging the alcoves of a college library it would be wise to 
reserve shelves to be filled by the contributions of graduates. 

The next year, 1847, a valuable addition of patristic works 
was made to the Library, through the agency of several of the 
leading clergymen of the city. The history of this movement 
may be found in the annual report of the joint Library Commit- 
tee to the Corporation, an extract from which may be interesting 
to the general reader : — 

The deficiency of American libraries in the best editions of the early Christian 
Fathers, has often been made a subject of public regret and complaint. The deficiency 
of our own Library in this respect, though probably not greater than that of most 
others, yet had often been remarked by those whose studies had led them to investigate 
the antiquities of the Christian church. The means of pursuing such inquiries here, 
in the original editions of authors, were exceedingly limited and unsatisfactory. The 
attention of the friends of theological learning in this city was first publicly called to 
this fact by the Rev. Mr. Osgood, minister of the second Unitarian Church, (now 
Eev. Dr. Osgood, pastor of the Church of the Messiah, in New York,) and the 
proposition was made that a sum of money be raised in the several parishes of the city 
for the supply of this deficiency, and for furnishing the means of prosecuting ecclesi- 
astical studies to the clergy of the several Christian denominations here. An oppor- 
tunity of purchasing the works of the leading Christian Fathers, was soon afterwards 



104 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

presented in the sale of tbe valuable library of the Rev. Matthias Bruen, in the city 
of New York. A subscription was immediately set on foot by several clergymen of 
this city, in their respective parishes, and the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars 
was soon raised for the purpose above mentioned, and placed at the disposal of the 
Committee. Of this sum, one thousand dollars was collected by Eev. Mr. Granger, 
one hundred and fifty dollars by Rev. Mr. Osgood, and one hundred dollars by Rev. 
Mr. Hall. Subscriptions are also understood to have been commenced in other 
parishes, which, it has been intimated, may be filled up at a future day. In the dispo- 
sition of the funds furnished by this subscription, the Committee expended about nine 
hundred dollars at the sale of the Bruen library ; the remaining three hundred and 
fifty dollars is in the hands of the Treasurer, to be appropriated to the purchase of 
similar works, whenever a favorable opportunity shall be presented. The collection of 
patristic literature which has thus been added to the Library, comprises in all, one 
hundred and eighty-four volumes, viz. : Folios, one hundred and thirty ; quartos, 
twenty-nine ; octavos, twenty-three ; duodecimos, two. Among them are the Biblio- 
THECA Maxima Veterum Patrum, in twenty-seven volumes, folio ; the works of 
Augustine, of Ambrose, of Bernard, of Chrysostom, of Alcuin, of the Grkgories, 
of EuSEBius, of Philo, of Jerome, and of many others of the early Fathers of the 
Chi'istian church. These works are all of the Paris Benedictine editions, and are in 
excellent condition. They have greatly enhanced the value of the Library to all 
students of ecclesiastical and patristic literature, and have placed it among the very 
best libraries in the country, so far as this department of learning is concerned. It is 
hoped by the Committee, that the volumes which have thus been added may accomplish 
the benevolent design of the contributors, and for a long succession of generations, 
furnish incitement and aid to the clergy of this city and its vicinity, in studying the 
writings which relate to the origin and early history of Christianity. 

To this collection of the Fathers, we may remark, important 
additions were afterwards made. The sum of money eventually 
collected by the clergymen of the city for the encouragement of 
patristic learning, amounted to about two thousand dollars. 

The purchases made for the Library during the year 1851 
now claim our attention. And here we may be allowed to quote 
at length from the annual report of the joint Library Committee 
presented to the Corporation in September, 1852 : — 

The Committee call attention, in the first place, to a collection bought at the sale 
in New York, of the library of the late Rev. Dr. Jarvis. Aware of the great value 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 105 

of this library, probably the most valuable private collection ever offered at auction in 
this country, the Committee made out from the catalogue a hst of works which they 
wished to secure, and authorized the Librarian to attend the sales, and make the 
purchases under the advice of the sub-committee on books. The Librarian executed 
his commission with fidelity and good judgment, and was successful in procuring most 
of the works which had been selected. There were purchased three hundred and 
eighty-six volumes, which cost altogether nine hundred and eight dollars. They are 
mostly rare works, diiScult to be obtained even in Europe ; they are almost exclusively 
folios and quartos, in the best editions, with the binding and all outward appointments, 
for the most part, of the first quality and in excellent condition. Among them are 
about thirty volumes of the Greek and Latin Fathers, which go far towards completing 
the patristic collection in the Library, especially of the writers of the first six centuries. 
There are also among them extensive historical collections, of which we select for 
mention the following, viz. : — 

Ddcuesnk's Ancient Norman Historians, from 838 to 1220, folio ; Duchesne's 
French Historians, down to the time of Philip IV., five volumes, folio; Sciiott's 
Spanish Historians, four volumes, folio ; Pistorius's Body of Polish History, three 
volumes in one, folio ; Pistoeius's German Historians, four volumes, folio ; Pantanus's 
j)aniph History, folio ; also a Thesaurus of Swiss History, in one volume, folio ; and 
the great Historical Dictionary of Moreri, in ten volumes, folio. Belonging to the 
department of ecclesiastical history, may be mentioned the thirteen folio volumes of 
the Magdeburgh Cexturiators, — the foundation work of protestant church history; 
also Arnold's Impartial History of Church and Heretics, four volumes, folio ; Natalis 
Alexander's Ecclesiastical History, nine volumes, folio ; and Suicer's Thesaurus 
Ecclesiasticus, two volumes in one, folio. Still other works worthy of mention, are a 
fine copy of Folard's Polybius, seven volumes, quarto ; Brotier's Tacitus, four 
volumes, quarto; Calvin's works, nine volumes, folio, — a fine copy of the now scarce 
Amsterdam edition of 1671 ; Marvilius's Leipsic edition of the Theodosian Code, 
six volumes in seven, folio ; and Spanheim's Dissertation on Ancient Coins, two 
volumes, folio, — a copy which belonged to Gibbon's private library. 

These books have cost the Library a large outlay of money, and it may be justly 
said that they will be rarely used ; but these facts are not the criterion of their value 
to our Library. Belonging as they do, to the class of books which are indispensable 
instruments of extensive research, and which, by furnishing the requisite materials 
and authorities, are essential means for the production of original and elaborate works 
on the various subjects of which they treat, they mark, by their introduction to our 
alcoves, an auspicious event in the history of the Library ; they indicate a great step 
of progress, in the right direction, of the Library of a learned Institution. It has 
often been mentioned as a reproach, or at least as an evil attaching to our public libra- 
14 



106 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

lies, that they are quite deficient in the needful materials for extensive scientific and 
literary investigations. Many years ago, it was said by Fisher Ames, that " all our 
universities would not suffice to supply the authorities for such a work as Cxibbon's " ; 
and a remark of the same import was made in a literary address delivered a few years 
since by the late Mr. Justice Story. Prof. Jewett, of the Smithsonian Institution, 
asserts in one of his annual reports, after a careful examination, that "Mr. Whkaton's 
History of International Law could not have been written in this country from the 
materials contained in our public libraries." Similar assertions have been made 
respecting Mr. Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature, and tha historical works of 
Prescott, and of Bancroft; and it is well known that these eminent authors were 
obliged to import from abroad expensive books, and to go to Europe themselves to 
collect materials for the composition of these works, which do so much honor to the 
literature of the country. And it is certainly incumbent upon the managers of public 
libraries to aim to remove, by pursuing a systematic plan from year to year, the great 
evil which is illustrated by all these facts. It is with such a view as this, that the 
works above described have been purchased for our Library, as well as others of similar 
character, mentioned in former reports of the Library Committee While we would 
not neglect other acknowledged objects of the Library, we would aim to make it as 
rapidly as possible a great repository of learning ; into whose inclosures sliall grad- 
ually be gathered from the wide domains of literature all works which are of ultimate 
authority in every department of knowledge ; all works, whatever they may be, whether 
the minutest tract or the amplest folio, which can facilitate the progress of the future 
historian, and cast a sure and faithful light on his pathway. We may mention, in 
fortunate coincidence with these remarks, that some of the books purchased at the 
Jarvis sale formerly belonged to Gibbon's own collection ; indeed we may say, that by 
means of the additions made during the past year, and of other recent years, the 
significant remark above quoted from Fisher Ames and Judge Story, has already lost 
well nigh all its force in its bearings upon our Library ; and we need only follow out 
on a systematic plan the course we have already commenced, and the period is n(;t far 
distant, when the writers of our own land and of other lands, who miiy aspire to rival 
in industry and in fame the Gibbons of former times, may find in the treasures here 
accumulated the amplest views for the attainment of their noble ends. 

The report from which the foregoing extract has been taken, 
was prepared by Professor Lincoln. It embodies sound wisdom, 
and presents views worthy the consideration of the managers of 
our pubhc libraries. It is in accordance with these views that 
the Librarian was authorized to expend the Tallmadge bequest, 



HISTORY OF THE LIBEAEY. 107 

in the purchase of duplicates from the Astor Library. The Hon. 
James Tallmadge, LL. D., to whom we have referred in our His- 
torical Sketch, was a graduate under President Maxcy. Upon 
his death, in September, 1853, he bequeathed to the University 
one thousand dollars, for the improvement of the Library. At 
the annual meeting of the Corporation held in September, 1854, 
it was — 

Resolved, I'hat this Corporation would express their deep gratitude for this token 
of remembrance from one of their most distinguished graduates and firmest friends. 

Resolved, That the Library Committee be requested to appropriate the amount of 
this bequest to the purchase of books, and to take such measures as .'■hall indicate the 
source from whence they have been derived. 

This bequest, as we have already stated, was expended in the 
purchase of choice duplicates. For this valuable purchase the 
Library is greatly indebted to the courtesy and professional skill 
of Dr. Coggeshall, the late efficient Superintendent of the Astor 
Library. 

We may be pardoned for adding another extract from Pro- 
fessor Lincoln's admirable report, referring as it does to the need 
of a new Library building, constructed in accordance with the 
most approved principles of library architecture ; — a need which 
the lapse of fifteen years has only increased. Such a building, 
well filled with useful books, would become a centre of influence, 
and the home and resort of students and literary men. It would 
be instrumental of the highest good to the community, and reflect 
lasting credit upon the liberality of the friends of the Institution, 
through whom we trust it may ere long be built : — 

The Committee cannot close this report without adverting to a subject of great 
and growing importance to the Library and to the University, and one that has forced 
itself anew upon their attention in preparing these returns, namely, the desirableness 
of taking early measures for either enlarging the present Library hall, or what is far 
better, if practicable, of erecting a new Libiary building. The considerations which 
prompt such a suggestion lie very near at hand, and seem to the Committee to be of 



108 BEOWN UNIVEKSITY. 

the most pressing character. The first and most obvious is the absolute incapacity of 
the present hall to meet even the existing wants of the Library. The space for folios 
and quartos is already entirely occupied. * * * Again, the present building is very 
insecure. As is well known, it is not fire-proof. It is obviously very unsafe for a 
valuable Library to be deposited in a building furnishefl with no provisions against the 
casualities of fire, especially when it is used, as is ours, for various other College pur- 
poses. The recent ease of fire in the Congress Library teaches an impressive le.sson on 
this point. It is also insecure against other dangers ; it might be entered at ease from 
nearly any point, and robbed of its most valuable treasures. To these considerations 
it may be added that the present hall is, on many accounts, inconvenient for a large 
and growing Library. The shelves are quite too high, and they ought to be so arranged 
as to obviate the necessity of the ladders* now in use. There are also no suitable 
accommodations for pictures, maps, plates, etc., of which we have now a very numer- 
ous and costly collection. All these facts clearly indicate the great desirableness of 
endeavoring to take early measures for a new and lasting improvement in this most 
important department of the University. It is believed that, in the present state of 
the University, no more signal service could be conferred upon it by its patrons and 
friends, than the erection, on some suitable part of the College grounds, of a new 
edifice, skillfully planned and constructed, and furnished with all the requisite appoint- 
ments for the exclusive uses of the Library ; one that shall be capacioue' enough to 
accommodate a hundred thousand volumes, and so built as to be capable of indefinite 
enlargement. The consummation of a great enterprise like this would be a most 
propitious event in the history of the College. It would place the foitunes of the 
Library upon a firm and permanent basis ; and the most sober-minded of its friends 
might indulge in brilliant visions of its future prosperity and usefulness. 

In looking over the records of the Corporation, we find under 
date of September 5, 1856, the following preamble and resolution, 
offered by Samuel G. Arnold : — 

Whereas, Don Geronimo Urmeneta, an alumnus of this University, and late 
Minister of Finance of the Republic of Chili, has sent through Samuel W. Greene, 
Esq., the elegant works of Claddio Gay, entitled, Historia fisica y politica de Chile, 
in twenty-three octavo volumes of text, and two quarto volumes of plates, Paris. 
1845-54, as a present to the Library of Brown University, 

Resolved, That the President be requested to acknowledge the receipt of the same, 
and convey the thanks of this Corporation to Senor Urmeneta, for his munificent gift. 

*Tlie present Librarian, in 1858, sprained his ankle badly by falling from one of these 
high ladders, from the efifects of which fall he has not yet entirely recovered. Dr. Ebert, 
the distinguished German Bibliographer and Librarian, is said to have lost his life in this way. 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 109 

Senor Urmeneta is a native of Santiago, Chili, and one of the 
most distinguished men of that country. He entered the Sopho- 
more class at Brown in 1832, but did not graduate. In 1851 he 
received the honorary degree of A. M., and in 1859 the degree 
of LL. D. He has continued to manifest a warm regard for the 
place of his education, by sending to the Library repeated dona- 
tions of valuable books. Some of these are worthy of special 
notice, being elegantly printed, on large paper, of superior 
quality. Among them are Galeria Nacional o Coleccion de 
Biografias i Retratos de Hombres Celebres de Chile, edited by 
Hermojenes de Irisarri and Miguel Luis Amunategui, two vol- 
umes, folio, Santiago, 1854, large type and thick heavy paper, 
with forty-eight portraits; Coleccion de Tratados celebrados por 
la Reptiblica de Chile, quarto, Santiago, 1857 ; Observaciones 
Astron6micas, por el Dr. Carlos Guill? Moesta, quarto, Santiago, 
1859. 

In 1863, the late venerable Dr. Crocker presented to the 
Library a noble folio, bound in full Turkey morocco and richly 
gilt, entitled Biblia Sacra Polyglotta Bagsteriana, London, 1831. 
This work presents eight languages at each opening of the vol- 
ume. It comprises the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Septuagint 
Greek version of the Old Testament, the Vulgate Latin, Diodati's 
Italian, Scio's Spanish, Ostervald's French, Luther's German, 
the authorized version of the English Bible, the original Greek 
text of the New Testament, and the venerable Peshito, or old 
Syriac version. Mr. Crocker was a graduate of Harvard Univer- 
sity in the class of 1802. In 1808 he was elected to a Fellowship 
in Brown University, which position he held until his death in 
1866, a period of fifty-eight years. He was one of the original 
members of the joint Library Committee, which was organized in 
1840, and for nearly a quarter of a century he devoted himself to 
the interests of the Library with earnestness and zeal. His por- 
trait graces the Collection in Rhode Island Hall. 



110 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

Among the recent purchases for the Library are a special 
selection of about five hundred volumes of works on Chem- 
istry, and a costly collection of Architectural books, including 
Daly's Revue Gen^rale de I'Architecture et des Travaux Pub- 
lics, in twenty-two quarto volumes; Canina's Edifizi di Roma 
Antica, six volumes, folio ; the Architecture of Leon Baptista 
Alberti, in three volumes, folio ; Bowman & Crowther's churches 
of the Middle Ages, two volumes, folio ; Bruyere's Etudes rela- 
tives a I'Art des Constructions, two volumes, folio ; Calliat's Par- 
allele des Maisons de Paris, folio ; Carter's Ancient Architecture 
of England, folio ; Casterman's Parallele des Maisons de Bruxelies, 
folio ; Coney's Ecclesiastical Edifices of the Olden Time, two vol- 
umes, folio; D'Agincourt's Storia dell' Arte, six volumes, royal 
octavo of text, and one volume, folio, of plates; Dahlberg's 
Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna, three volumes, folio; Delamotte's 
Original Views of Oxford, folio ; Dugdale's Monasticon Anglica- 
num, eight volumes, folio; Durand's Recueil et Parallele Edifices 
en tout Genre, folio; Franchetti's Storia e Descrizione del Duomo 
di Milano, quarto; Gailhabaud's Architecture du V"'" an XVII""" 
Siecle et les Arts qui en dependent, four volumes, quarto, and one 
volume, folio ; Gaucherel's Examples de Decoration, folio ; Gau- 
ther's Plus beaux Edifices de la Ville de Genes, two volumes, 
folio ; Gourlier's Biet's, etc., Choix d' Edifices Publics,- three vol- 
umes, folio ; Graffenried & Sturler's Architecture Suisse, folio ; 
Gwelt's Encyclopsedia of Architecture, thick octavo; Gyfford's 
Designs for small picturesque Cottages, quarto ; Hirt's Geschiehte 
der Baukunst bei den Alten, three volumes, quarto, and one vol- 
ume, folio ; Hope's Historical Essay on Architecture, two vol- 
umes octavo ; Isabelle's Edifices Circulaires et les Domes, folio ; 
Krafft's Recueil d' Architecture, folio ; Letarouelly's Edifices de 
Rome Moderne, three volumes, quarto, of text, and three volumes, 
folio, of plates; Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Cottage, Farm and Villa 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. Ill 

Architecture, thick octavo; Nash's Architecture of the Middle Ages, 
folio ; Nicholson's Encyclopaedia of Architecture, two volumes, 
quarto ; Papworth's Rural Residences, (twenty-seven colored 
plates,) quarto; Penrose's Investigation of the principles of Athe- 
nian Architecture, folio ; Plaw's Ferme Orn^e, or Rural Improve- 
ments, quarto ; Plaw's Rural Architecture, quarto ; Pocock's Archi- 
tectural Designs, quarto ; Pugin's True Principles of Pointed or 
Christian Architecture, quarto; Rawlinson's Designs for tall Chim- 
ney Shafts, folio ; Reynaud's Traite d' Architecture, two volumes, 
quarto, of text, and one volume, folio, of plates; Richardson's 
Studies from old English Mansions, four volumes, folio ; Rondelet's 
Art de Batir, five volumes, quarto, of text, and one volume, folio, 
of plates ; Rusca's Raccolta dei Disegni di diverse Fabbriche in 
Pietroburgo, folio; Shaw's Encyclopaedia of Ornament, quarto; 
Shaw's Civil Architecture, quarto ; Simms's Public Works of Great 
Britain, folio ; Smillie & Walter's Mount Auburn Illustrated, 
quarto ; Soane's Sketches in Architecture, folio ; Turner's Domes- 
tic Architecture, two volumes, octavo ; The Civil Architecture of 
ViTRUvius, by Wilkins, quarto; Weale's Theory, Practice and 
Architecture of Bridges, three volumes, octavo ; Weale's Exam- 
ples in Architectural, Engineering and Mechanical Drawing, folio ; 
Weale's Public Works of the United States, folio ; Wickes's Spires 
and Towers of the Mediaeval Churches of England, two volumes, 
folio ; Wornum's Analysis of Ornament, octavo ; Wyatt's Metal- 
work and its Artistic Design, (printed in colors,) folio. 

But our limits will not admit of further details. From this 
imperfect sketch it will be seen, that the Library of Brown 
University, although not large, numbering but about thirty-five 
thousand volumes, is unusually choice and valuable. A large 
proportion of the books have been selected with special reference 
to the wants of students, and gentlemen engaged in literary and 
scientific research. The departments of bibliography, the classics, 



112 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

English history and hterature, ecclesiastical history, patristics, 
mathematics, the modern languages, and the fine arts, are quite 
full, and comparatively complete. The Library has a good col- 
lection of books pertaining to the history and literature of the 
English Dissenters. In modern law books, in works on anatomy 
and medicine, botany, natural history, and the mechanical arts, 
there are lamentable deficiencies. The Library has comparatively 
but few duplicates. In addition to the Metcalf collection already 
described, it has a large number of bound and unbound pam- 
phlets, " those leaves of an hour, and volumes of a season, and 
even of a week," which, says D'Israeli, " slight and evanescent 
things as they appear, and scorned at by opposite parties, while 
each cherishes its own, are in truth the records of the public 
mind, the secret history of a people, which does not always 
appear in the more open narrative." 

Several of the College Professors have good libraries in the 
specialities to which they are devoted. That of President Sears 
is deserving of notice. It contains upwards of seven thousand 
volumes, the greater part of which are in the German and Latin 
languages. The most valuable part of it consists of special histo- 
ries and biographies, particularly those relating to the period of the 
Reformation, and what preceded and followed it. The Rev. Dr. 
Dunn, Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, has an excel- 
lent Belles-Lettres library of about three thousand volumes, includ- 
ing a choice collection of German Exegetical works, and books 
adapted to the critical study of the Scriptures. The Rev. Mr. 
Diman, Professor of History and Political Economy, has a fine 
collection of books in his department, and especially rich in 
Metaphysics and German Philosophies. Professors Lincoln and 
Harkness have also, each of them, a good working apparatus for 
the study of the Greek and Latin classics. 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 113 

In this connection it may not be improper to refer to the 
private collection of Mr. Brown, to whose liberality, as we have 
already seen, the College Library is so greatly indebted. It 
contains upwards of ten thousand volumes, mostly rare works 
pertaining to early American history. As an illustration of its 
character and value, we may be allowed to quote from our Libra- 
rian's Manual,* a work recently published : " These two Cata- 
logues, (Rich's Bibliotheca and Supplement,) although they con- 
tain two thousand five hundred and twenty-three articles, are far 
from being complete. A merchant of Providence, well known to 
the amateurs of this class of books, has in his own private collec- 
tion three thousand two hundred and thirty-one early works upon 
America, published between the years 1700 and 1800, of which 
one thousand five hundred and twelve are not mentioned by 
Rich. He has also one thousand one hundred and seventy-four 
works ipublished previous to the year 1700, of which five hundred 
and nine are not mentioned by Ternaux ; thus making four thou- 
sand four hundred and five separate works relating to America 
and published previous to the year 1800, of which two thousand 
and twenty-one were unknown to the eminent American bibliog- 
raphers, whose catalogues are described in this list." The most 
costly of all collections of books is the one of which Harlot's 
Virginia forms a part, and which is known as De Bry's Voyages. 
This is a collection of voyages and travels in Asia, Africa, and 
America. Its publication was commenced in the year 1590, by 
De Bry, an eminent engraver and bookseller at Frankfort-on-the- 
Main, and continued by himself and his successors for forty-four 
years. It is copiously illustrated with maps and the finest engrav- 
ings executed at that period. The series make twenty-five folio 

*The Librakian's Manual; a Treatise on bibliography, comprising a select and 
descriptive list of bibliographical works ; to wbicb are added, sketches of Public Libraries. 
Illustrated with Engravings. 4to., New York, 0. B. Norton, 1858, pp. 314. 
15 



114 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

volumes, thirteen of which relate to America. It was published 
in Latin and in German, and in French and English in part. It 
also underwent many changes and variations. A complete set 
of this exceedingly rare work, including every edition and varia- 
tion known, making nearly a hundred volumes, forms a part of 
Mr. Brown's library. 

Previous to the year 1824, the duties of the Librarian were 
performed by one of the College tutors. The following are the 
names of those who have filled this office, viz. : Hon. Asher 
Bobbins, William Wilkinson, President Maxcy, President Messer, 
Rev. Otis Thompson, Prof Calvin Park, William Emmons, Hon. 
John Bailey, Doct. Caleb H. Snow, Peter Pratt, Aaron Brooks, 
Hon. Horace Mann, and C. Sumner Smith. From 1824 till 1840, 
the office was filled by Prof Horatio G. Bo wen. He was succeeded 
by Prof C. C. Jewett, who held the office seven years. The pres- 
ent incumbent entered upon his duties in March, 1848. Prof 
William Gammell, was Librarian ^ro tern, from September 14, 1840, 
to June 3, 1841, and the Rev. Dr. Caswell, from June 3, 1841, to 
October 11, 1841, when Prof Jewett commenced his services. 
The Rev. Dr. Dunn, was chosen Assistant Librarian, September 
26, 1843, and took charge of the Library during Mr. Jewett's 
absence in Europe. The following graduates have also acted as 
Assistant Librarians, viz. : Asa H. Gould, Charles J. Muenscher, 
Judson Benjamin, Franklin J. Dickman, Reuben A. Guild, James 
B. Angell, Heman L. Wayland, William H. Mills, Samuel Brooks, 
Edward T. Caswell, Samuel C. Eastman, and Edward H. Cutler. 

The Library is open during term-time, daily, from nine till 
one ; during vacations, weekly, on Saturdays, from ten till one. 
The members of the Corporation and Faculty ; all resident grad- 
uates ; all donors to the Library fund ; all donors to the fund for 
building Rhode Island Hall ; and all donors to the Library to the 
amount of forty dollars, residing in Providence, are entitled to 



HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. 115 

the use of the Library without expense. Undergraduates are 
entitled to the use of the Library, and are charged therefor the 
sum of three dollars per annum. 

The privilege of consulting the Library is extended, under 
ordinary restrictions, to all graduates of the University ; to all 
settled clergymen, of every denomination, residing in the city of 
Providence and the vicinity ; and to all other persons on whom, 
for the purpose of advancing the arts, science or literature, the 
Corporation or Library Committee may, from time to time, confer 
it. Books are occasionally loaned to persons at a distance, by 
special permission. 

The following are some of the general regulations of the 
Library, established by a vote of the Corporation of Brown Uni- 
versity, at their annual meeting, September 2, 1841 : — 

No book shall be borrowed from the Library or returned to it without the know- 
ledge and presence of the Librarian or his assistant, who shall take particular notice 
of the state of each book, when delivered out, and when returned. And every book, 
when lent, shall, if the Librarian so direct, have a proper cover on it, which shall be 
returned undefaced, with the book. And the Librarian shall require of the borrower a 
receipt for every book, if he be present ; otherwise the book may be delivered on his 
written application. In no case, however, shall books be lent to undergraduates, unless 
they are present to sign a receipt for the same. 

No person except officers of instruction shall borrow from the Library more than 
one folio, which he may keep four weeks ; or one quarto, which he may keep three 
weeks ; or two octavos or two duodecimos, which he may keep two weeks. 

For every book not returned at the time specified, the person borrowing it shall 
pay for each folio or quarto, three cents ; and for each octavo or duodecimo, two cents, 
for eveiy day, until it shall be returned. 

All the books, whether in possession of undergraduates, resident graduates, officers 
of instruction, members of the Corporation, or others, shall be returned to the Library, 
on or before the Friday preceding the close of each Collegiate term. Any person 
who may fail to comply with this requirement, shall pay twenty-five cents for each 
volume of which he retains possession. 

If any book borrowed from the Library be injured or defaced by writing in it or 
otherwise, or be lost, the Librarian shall make immediate report of it to the Library 



116 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

Committee. And if the borrower be a graduate or undergraduate, the Library Com- 
mittee shall oblige him to replace it as soon as possible, with one of equal value ; or 
they may punish him by fine or otherwise ; and if such volume be part of a set, the 
borrower shall be obliged to replace the whole set, or be punished, as above ; and until 
this be done, he shall not be allowed to borrow any other book. 

No book can be renewed to any undergraduate or resident graduate, unless it be 
brought to the Library. 

No undergraduate, while receiving books, shall take down any book from the 
shelves without special permission from the Librarian. 

No person shall lend to any other a book which he has borrowed from the Library, 
nor let it go from under his personal custody. And no book shall, by any person, be 
carried out of the city of Providence, without the special permission of the Corpora- 
tion or of the Library Committee. 

Inasmuch as the Librarian is held specially responsible for the safe keeping of the 
books, etc. , belonging to the Library, no person shall be allowed to enter the Library, 
unaccompanied by him or by his authorized agent. 

If any undergraduate desires to borrow a book, which is lent out of the Library, 
he may leave his name and the title of the book with the Librarian, and when the 
book shall be returned, the Librarian shall reserve It for the person so applying; pro- 
vided he call for it at his next time of receiving books from the Library. 

Such books, maps, charts, etc., as have been, or which may be presented, with the 
intention or request that they shall not be lent from the Library, shall in no case be 
lent therefrom. Books which are valuable foi- their plates, or for their rarity or anti- 
quity, and all others which the Library Committee may designate as works of reference, 
shall not be lent ; but may be freely consulted in the Library. 

The privileges of the Library shall be withdrawn from all such persons as may 
incur fines under the preceding regulations, until such fines shall have been paid. 
And the Librarian is authorized to suspend or withdraw the privilege of borrowing 
books from the Library, or of reading books therein, from any person who may wilfully 
violate any of its regulations. 

The joint Library Committee are authorized to establish, from time to time, such 
additional regulations, not incompatible with the laws of the University, as shall be 
found proper and necessary, for the safety of the Library and the due administration 
of its concerns. All such additional regulations shall, however, be reported to the 
Corporation. 



HISTORY 



COLLEGE CHARTER. 



1763-1863. 



CHARTER. 




HE history of the Charter of Brown University is one of 
struggle against opposing influences, arising in part from 
the sectarian feeling so prevalent throughout New England a 
century ago, and which appears to have been particularly bitter 
towards the denomination under whose auspices the College in 
Rhode Island was founded. The Life and Correspondence of 
Manning abounds in illustrations of this feeling towards the 
Institution over which he presided, and also of ecclesiastical 
oppression, to resist which was one of the main causes that led 
to the formation of the Warren Association. In the hght of an 
advancing civilization all this has now passed away; — if occa- 
sionally recalled to remembrance, it is only in the spirit of kind- 
ness, as an impressive admonition to the fuller exercise of that 
charity which "beareth all things." A faithful account of the 
College Charter, must of necessity reflect somewhat upon the 
character of great and good men, whose names have passed into 
history, and whose memories are precious. On this point we 
may be allowed to quote the remarks of Professor Knowles, in 
his preface to the Memoir of Roger Williams. " We must not," 
he says, " in order to promote or defend religion, attempt to con- 
ceal events which history has already recorded, and much less to 



120 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

palliate conduct which we cannot justify. Let us rather confess, 
with frankness and humility, our own faults, and those of our 
fathers ; learn wisdom from past errors ; and bring ourselves and 
others, as speedily as possibly, to the adoption of those pure prin- 
ciples by which alone Christianity can be sustained and diffused^ 
The book of God records, among its salutary lessons, the mistakes 
and sins of good men." 

In the cabinet of the Khode Island Historical Society is a 
manuscript volume by the Rev. Morgan Edwards, entitled, Mate- 
rials TOWARDS A History of the Baptists in Rhode Island, in which 
the author gives a sketch of the early history of the College. 
This sketch, which is published in Staples's Annals of Providence, 
contains a narrative by President Manning, written a few years 
after the occurrence of the events described. This narrative is 
incorporated in our former work, and reproduced here in order 
to give completeness to this chapter of our College History: — 

In the month of July, 1763, we arrived at Newport, and made a motion to several 
gentlemen of the Baptist denomination — whereof Col. Gardner, the Deputy Governor, 
was one — relative to a seminary of polite literature, subject to the government of the 
Baptists. The motion was properly attended to, which brought together about fifteen 
gentlemen of the same denomination at the Deputy's house, who requested that I 
would draw a sketch of the design, against the day following. That day came ; and 
the said gentlemen, with other Baptists, met in the f^ame place, when a rough draught 
was produced and read. — the tenor of which was, that the Institution was to be a 
Baptist one, but that as many of other denomination^ should be taken in as was con- 
sistent with the said design. Accordingly, the Hon. Josias Lyndon and Colonel Job 
Bennet, were appointed to draw a Charter to be laid before the next General Assem- 
bly, with a petition that they would pass it into a law. But the said gentlemen plead- 
ing unskillfulness touching an affair of the kind, requested that their trusty friend , the 
Rev. Ezra, now Dr. Stiles, might be solicited to assist them. This was opposed by 
me, as unwilling to give the Doctor trouble about an affair of other people ; but they 
urged that his love of learning and Catholicism would induce him readily to give his 
assistance. Accordingly their proposition was consented to, and his assistance obtained ; 
or, rather, the draughting of the Charter was left entirely to him, after being told 
that the Baptists were to have the lead in the Institution, and the government thereof, 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTEE. 121 

forever ; and that no more of other denominations were to be admitted than would be 
consistent with that. The Charter was drawn, and a time and place were appointed 
for the parties concerned to meet and hear it read. But the vessel in which I was to 
sail for Halifax going off that day, prevented my being present with them long enough 
to see whether the original design was secured ; and as the Corporation was made to 
consist of two branches. Trustees and Fellows, and these branches to sit and act by 
distinct and separate powers, it was not easy to determine, by a transient hearing, 
what those powers might be. The Trustees were presumed to be the principal branch 
of authority ; and as nineteen out of thirty-five were to be Baptists, the Baptists were 
satisfied, without sufficient examination into the authority vested in the Fellowship, 
which afterwards appeared to be the soul of the Institution, while the Trusteeship was 
only the body. Placing, therefore, an entire confidence in Dr. Stiles, they agreed to 
join in a petition to the Assembly to have the Charter confirmed by authority.* 

* Prof. Kingsley, in his life of Dr. Stiles, states that " a committee of Baptists and Con- 
gregationalists was appointed to draft a Charter of a College ; and of this body, Mr. Stiles 
and Mr. WiUiam EUery were designated to prepare such an instrument for their considera- 
tion." " It is highly prohable," he further adds, " from internal evidence, that the Charter 
■was drawn principally by Mr. Stiles ; Mr. EUery having little concern in preparing it, 
except to see to the correctness of the legal language. Whoever drew it, he had obviously 
before him the charters of Yale College, and was familiar with the questions which had 
arisen with respect to them. The privileges secured to the University by this Charter are 
very ample ; and the language of the several provisions is remarkably full, precise, and 
explicit. It is, undoubtedly, in many respects, one of the best college charters in New 
England." 

From Prof. Kingsley's statements, it would appear that Baptists and Congregationalists 
were alike interested in the movement, and that a joint committee representing the two 
denominations was appointed to draft the Charter. From the statements, however, of 
Backus, Edwards, Manning, and Jenckes, it is evident that Baptists alone were the originators 
of the undertaking ; that Baptists alone met at the Deputy Governor's house, in Newport, in 
July, 1763 ; that, of their number, Lyndon and Beunet were appointed to draft a Charter 
in accordance with a plan sketched by Manning ; that these gentlemen, " pleading unskiU- 
fulness," requested that Dr. Stiles "m.ight be solicited to assist them"; and that this was at 
first opposed by Manning, who was "unwilling to give the Doctor trouble about an aflfair of 
other people." The following memorandum, found among the papers of Dr. Stiles, furnishes 
the key to Professor Kingsley's narrative, and leaves, says President Sears, no room to 
suspect any want of candor on the part of the latter : "A Charter draughted by a com- 
mittee of Baptists and Presbyterians, for a College in Rhode Island, was preferred to the 
Assembly, August, 1763, read and continued. After this, the Baptists deserted the Presby- 
terians, and prepared the same Charter, with the alteration of the proportions of the 
denominations in the Corporation. This passed the Assembly at their session at Greenwich, 
by adjournment last Tuesday, February, 1764." See appendix to President Sears's Centen- 
nial Discourse, page 65. The original Charter is published in the appendix to Manning 
AND Bkown University, (pages 465-82,) together with the alterations to which Dr. Stiles 
refers. These alterations were many and important, as the reader may see at a glance. 
16 



122 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

The following is the petition to which Manning in his narror 
tive refers, copied from the original document. The signatures 
to the document, it may be remarked, are genuine : — 

To the Honorable, the General Assembly of His Majesty's Colony of Rhode Island, 
to be held at Newport on the first Monday of August, A D. 1763, by adjournment. 

The Petition of divers of the Inhabitants of said Colony. 

Whereas, Institutions for liberal education are highly beneficial to society by 
forming the rising generation to virtue, knowledge, and useful literature, and thus 
preserving in a community a succession of men qualified for discharging the offices of 
life with usefulness and reputation, and have always merited and received the public 
attention and encouragement of every wise, polite and well regulated State : And 
whereas a public school or seminary erected for this purpose within this Colony, to 
which the youth may freely resort for education in the vernacular and learned lan- 
guages, and instruction in the liberal arts and sciences, would be for the general 
advantage and honor of this government : And whereas there is a confessed absence 
of polite and useful learning in this Colony, your petitioners, affected with a deep 
sense thereof, and prompted alone by motives drawn from the public good, and desirous, 
as far as in them lies, to subserve the political interests of this His Mtijesty's Colony, 
and solicitous for cultivating the morals and informing the knowledge of the rising 
generation, upon which foundation the harmony, good order, and reputation of society 
depend, — Humbly show, that for the good intents and purposes above mentioned they 
have concerted and planned the Charter herewith presented, and the same, having 
carefully considered and revised, do propose and submit it to the consideration of this 
honorable Assembly, requesting your Honors that, out -of your great regard for useful 
literature, and the good morals of the youth of this Colony, and others that may resort 
to this same for the advantages of education, you would give your assent to and grant 
and confirm the aforesaid Charter, with all its powers, privileges and immunities, as 
amply and fully as in said Charter is specified and expressed : And your petitioners 
as in duty bound will ever pray. 

Nicholas Tillinghast, Charles Wickham, Silas Cooke, Peter Mumford, Samuel 
Fowler, Joseph Clarke, Thomas Rodman, Thomas Wickham, Jr., Benjamin Mason, 
Thomas Rodman, Jr., Henry Ward, John Bowers, Oliver Arnold, William Burroughs, 
Standford Wyatt, William Taggart, Jonathan Easton, Jonathan Otis, Nicholas Ward, 
Jr., Jonathan Rogers, Robert Potter, Samuel Ward, Job Bennet, Joshua Clarke, 
Grardner Thurston, Josias Lyndon, John Wheaton, William Ellery, Jr., Jonathan 
Willson, Grideon Cornell, Martin Howard, Israel Brayton, Paul Coffin, Charles 
Bardin, John Freby, Benjamin Sherburne, Sylvester Child, Caleb Gardner, Jonathan 



HISTORY OF THE CHAETER. 123 

Nichols, Shubael Barr, Cromel Child, William Vernoo, J. Gardner, Joseph Sanford, 
John TilKnghast, Nicholas Easton, Joshua Saunders, James Tanner, John Tanner, 
Robert Stevens, Samuel Greene, Joseph G. Wanton, David Moore, Samuel Lyndon, 
Elnathan Hammond, Nathan Rice, James Gardner, Clarke Brown, Benjamin Hall, 
Esek Burroughs, Joseph Rodman, William Rogers. 

The petition, continues Manning, in his narrative, was preferred, and cheerfully 
received, and the Charter read ; after which a vote was called for, and urged by some 
to pass into a law. But this was opposed by others, particularly by Daniel Jenckes, 
Esq., member for Providence, who contended that the Assembly required more time 
to examine whether it was agreeable to the design of the first movers for it, and there- 
fore prayed the house to have the perusal of it while they adjourned for dinner. This 
was granted, with S(ime opposition. Then he asked the Governor, who was a Baptist, 
whom they intended to invest with the governing power in said Institution ? The 
Governor answered, "The Baptist;, by all means." Then Mr. Jenckes showed him 
that the Charter was so artfully constructed as to throw the power into the Fellows' 
hands, whereof eight out of twelve were Presbyterians, usually called Congregation- 
alists, and that the other four might be of the same denomination, for aught that 
appeared in the Charter to the contrary. Convinced of this. Governor Lyndon imme- 
diately had an interview with Dr. Stiles, the Presbyterian minister of Newport, and 
demanded why he had perverted the design of the Charter. The answer was, "I 
gave you timely warning to take care of yourselves, for that we had done so with 
regard to our society " ;"* and finally observed, " that he was not the rogue." When 

* In Prof. Kingsley's Life of Dr. Stiles, to which, reference has already been made, we 
find it stated that the project of a College in Ehode Island had been the subject of serious 
deliberation a considerable time before the Charter was actually granted by the legislature, 
and that in this matter Dr. Stiles had taken a prominent part, collecting statistics, etc. His 
plan, as stated by Kingsley, was, to unite several denominations of Christians in the enter- 
prise, both in America and in Great Britain, and thus, by proper care, to make the dissenting 
interest eventually exceed the Episcopal establishment. The whole number of churches of 
the Congregational, Presbyterian, and Baptist denominations, not only in the colonies, but 
in great Britain and Ireland, he ascertained to be three thousand six hundred and thirty- 
eight. " He supposed that all these churches might be induced to contribute to the estab- 
lishment and support of an institution which would so greatly subserve their interests." 
The arrival at Newport of Mr. Manning, and the proposition made by him for the estab- 
lishment of a Baptist College, interferred, of course, with his cherished views and plans. 
It is therefore not surprising that he should have been unwilling to see them defeated, with- 
out a struggle on his part to carry them into effect. We can understand how an attempt 
should have been made, either by Dr. Stiles or his associates, in drafting an act of incorpo- 
ration for a College in Ehode Island, to pay special "regard" to the interests of their own 
" society." That there was disappointment on both sides, and at the time mutual recrimi- 



124 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

the Assembly was convened again, the said Jenckes moved that the affair might he 
put off to the next session ; adding, that the motion for a College originated with the 
Baptists, and was intended for their use, but that the Charter in question was not at 
all calculated to answer their purpose ; and since the committee intrusted with this 
matter by the Baptists professed they had been misled, not to say imposed upon, it 
was necessary that the Baptists in other parts of the Colony should be consulted 
previous to its passing into a law, especially as few, if any of them except himself, 
had seen it ; and he prayed that he might have a copy for the said purpose, which he 
promised to return. All which was granted. When the Charter came to be narrowly 
inspected, it was found to be by no means answerable to the design of the agitators, 
and the instructions given the committee. Consequently, application was made to the 
Philadelphia Association, where the thing took its rise, to have their mind on the 
subject, who immediately sent two gentlemen* hither to join with the Baptists of this 

nations, is evident from the narrative. Under similar circumstances there doubtless would 
he agaia, human nature being very much the same now as in the days of our ancestors. It 
is due to Dr. Stiles, to state that he afterwards appeared to cherish friendly feelings towards 
the Institution. Having been elected to a Fellowship in the College, and solicited by 
repeated deputations from the Corporation to accept the trust, he thus writes to the Chan- 
cellor and Trustees : " I was too firm a friend to literature not to have taken part in the 
Institution at first upon my nomination in the Charter, had I not been prevented by 
reasons which a subsequent immediate election could not remove. * * * * With the 
greatest pleasure and alacrity I could have joined with you in so noble a work, but that I 
am obstructed by reasons which, however they may justly influence Congregationalists in 
general, ought not now to have any weight with you as a body.'" Whatever were the "rea- 
sons" which "obstructed" Dr. Stiles, one of which, it is stated, was "the offence he should 
give his brethren should he accept it," (Manning and Brown University, page 215,) they 
still influenced him to decline the office to which he was invited, with suitable acknowledg- 
ments of the politeness and respect with which he was treated on this occasion. His letter 
concludes with the catholic and pious wish, that " the Father of lights, from whom comes 
down every good and perfect gift, may excite the public munificence, and raise up benefac- 
tors, through whose liberalities this Institution shall be completed with an ample endowment." 
*0n the margin of the Morgan Edwards MS., in the hand-writing of the Rev. Dr. 
Jones, who was Edwards's intimate friend, is the following, namely: " Why their names 
are not mentioned, I cannot say. However, there was no one sent but myself, although 
Mr. Robert Strettle Jones was so kind as to bear me company to Rhode Island on the 
occasion. — Samuel Jones." Mr. Jones, it will be remembered, in connection with ]\Ir. 
Edwards, had been intrusted by the Association with the business in general of founding a 
Baptist college or university. He had, at this date, but recently been ordained in Philadel- 
phia. He was a young man of liberal education, and a ready and skillful writer ; hence his 
special fitness for the duty assigned him in this emergency. The following extract from 
notes to a century sermon delivered by him before the Philadelphia Baptist Association, 
October 6, 1807, nearly fifty years afterwards, shows the manner in which he performed his 



HISTORY OF THE CHAETER. 125 

Colony in making such alterations and amendments as were to them specified before 
their departure. When they arrived, Dr. Eyres,* of Newport, was added to the 
committee, and they happily draughted the present Charter, and lodged it, with a new 
petition, in proper hands. The most material alterations were, appointing the same 
number of Baptists in the Fellowship that had been appointed of the Presbyterians, 
by Dr. Stiles ; settling the Presidency in the Baptist society ; adding five Baptists to 
the Trustees and putting more Episcopalians than Presbyterians in the Corporation. 

Among the alterations not here enumerated by Manning, 
were, electing the President by the Corporation instead of exclu- 
sively by the Trustees ; providing for convoking an assembly of 
the Corporation on twenty days notice instead of six ; making 
five a quorum of the Board of Fellows instead of eight; and 
striking out the clause making the places of Trustees or Fellows 
who should remove out of the State, vacant. By confining mem- 
bership in the Corporation to persons residing within the limits 
of the Colony, the original Charter excluded the originators and 
founders of the College. Hence, in the list of names proposed 
by Dr. Stiles to be incorporated, the following, which we find in 
the printed Charter, as suggested by the committee, are omitted ; 
namely, Eev. Morgan Edwards, Rev. Samuel Jones, Rev. James 
Manning, Rev. Isaac Eaton, Rev. John Gano, Rev. Samuel Still- 
man, Rev. Jeremiah Condy, and Robert Strettle Jones, Esq. The 
names of Hezekiah Smith, Isaac Backus, William Williams, and 
others from out of the State, who rendered such signal service in 
the early history of the College, would also have been excluded 
from membership in the Corporation, by the Charter as originally 
drafted. 

mission : " In the Fall of 1763, tlie writer of these sheets, on request, repaired to Newport, 
in Rhode Island, and new-modelled a rough draught they had of a Charter of incorporation 
for a College, which soon after ohtained legislative sanction." 

* Thomas Eyres, a phj^sician, the first Secretary of the Corporation, and a Fellow of the 
College from 1764 until his death m 1788. He was graduated at Yale College, in the class 
of 1754. His father. Elder Nicholas Eyres, was pastor of the Second Baptist Chuixh, in 
Newport, from 1731 until his death, February 13, 1759. 



126 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

The Hon. Daniel Jenckes, Esq., to whom Manning refers in 
his narrative, was a wealthy merchant of Providence, and a man 
of undoubted integrity. He died July 7, 1774, in the seventy- 
third year of his age, having continued, says the record, — a 
member of the Baptist church forty-eight years "without cen- 
sure." He was for forty years a member of the General Assem- 
bly, and for nearly thirty years Chief Justice of the Providence 
County Court. His daughter, Rhoda, was the wife of Nicholas 
Brown, the eldest of the " Four Brothers," to whom the College 
is so much indebted for its early prosperity and success. Among 
the manuscript writings of Morgan Edwards, we also find, in the 
same volume from which Manning's narrative is taken, a history 
of the College Charter, by Judge Jenckes, which reads as follows: — 

While I attended the business of the Assembly, held August, 1763, Capf. William 
Rogers came to the Council Chamber and presented me witb a paper, with a design I 
should sign it ; adding, that, as it was a petition for a Baptist college, he knew I would 
not refuse. Business not permitting me to attend to it immediately, I requested he 
would leave with me the petition and Charter. Meanwhile, the sergeant made procla- 
mation requiring the members to take their seats. In my seat I began to read the 
papers, but had not done before the petition and Charter were called for, which I gave 
to the sergeant, and he to the speaker at the board. The petition being read, a motion 
was made to receive it, and grant the Charter. After some time I stood up to oppose, 
proceeding immediately on the petition, giving my reason in words to this effect : " T 
understood that the College in question was sought for by the Baptists ; and that it 
was to be under their government and direction, witli the admission only of a few of 
other religious denominations to share with thorn therein, that they might appear as 
catholic as could be, consistent with their main design ; but, on the contrary, I per- 
ceived by glancing over the Charter, while I sat in my place just now, that the main 
power and direction is vested in twelve Fellows, and that eight out of the twelve are 
to be Presbyterians ; and that the others may or may not be of the same denomination ; 
but of necessity, none of them are to be Baptists. If so, there is treachery somewhere, 
and a design of grossly imposing on the honest people who first moved for the Institu- 
tion. I desire, therefore, that the matter may lie by till the afternoon." This was 
granted. In the afternoon the matter was resumed, with a seeming res-olution in some 
to push it through at all events ; but I had influence enough to stop proceedings then 
also. That evening and the next morning, I made it my business to see Governor 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTER. 127 

Lyndon and Col. Bennet, and to inform them of the construction of the Charter. 
They could not believe me, for the confidence they had in Dr. Stiles's honor and integ- 
rity, until seeing convinced them ; what reflections followed may be better concealed than 
published. However, we all agreed to postpone passing the Charter into a law, and did 
effect our purpose for that session, notwithstanding the attempts of Mr. Ellery and 
others of the Presbyterians to the contrary. Before the breaking up of the Assembly, 
the house, at my request, directed the speaker to deliver the Charter to me, after I 
had made a promise that it should be forthcoming at the next meeting of the Assembly. 
I took the Charter to Providence, and showed it to many who came to my house ; 
others borrowed it to peruse at home. Meanwhile, the messengers from the Philadel- 
phia Association arrived in Newport, which occasioned the committee of Newport to 
send to me for the Charter. I asked for it of Dr. Ephraim Bowen, who had borrowed 
it last. The doctor said he lent it to Samuel Nightingale, Esq. Search was made for 
it there, but it could not be found ; neither do I know to this day what became of it. 
When the next General Assembly met, (last Wednesday in October, 1763,) the 
second Charter was presented ; which was much faulted, and opposed by the gentry 
who concerned themselves so warmly about the other. And one in particular demanded 
that the first Charter, which had been entrusted to me, might be produced. Then I 
relaied, as above, that it was lost, and the manner how it was lost; but the party, 
instead of believing this, very rudely suggested that T had secreted the Charter, and 
in the face of the court charged me with a breach of trust ; which brought on very 
disagreeable altercations and bickerings, until, at last, I was necessitated to say, that 
" if there had been any foul doings, it was amongst them of their own denomination 
at Providence." Their clamors continued ; and we gave way to them that session for 
peace sake. Meanwhile, Dr. Bowen, who is a man of strict honor and integrity, used 
all means to recover the former Charter, posting an advertisement in the most public 
places in town, and making diligent inquiry; but to no purpose. At the next Assem- 
bly, which met in February, 1764, the new Charter was again brought on the carpet; 
and the same clamor against it, and unjust reproaches against me, were repeated. It 
was said that the new Charter was not like the old, and was constructed to deprive the 
Presbyterians of the benefit of the institution. To which it was replied, " that it was 
agreeable to the designs of the first undertakers, and if calculated to deprive the Pres- 
byterians of the power they wanted, it was no more than what they themselves had 
attempted to do to the Baptists." After much and warm debate, the question was 
put and carried in favor of the new Charter, by a great majority. 

It is not a little remarkable that this important document, 
after having been lost for a century, should have come to light 
in the year of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary 



128 BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 

of the College. It is now handsomely bound and lodged among 
the library archives. For generations it slept among the old 
papers of the church over which Dr. Stiles was pastor ; then it 
found its way into the hands of the Kev. Dr. William B. Sprague, 
the great collector of autographs, at Albany, who generously 
presented it to the University, upon being made acquainted with 
its historical value. The place of its deposit clears Mr. Jenckes 
of the charge brought against him by one of the "gentry." Into 
whose hands it fell after it was lent to Mr. Jabez Bo wen, and by 
him to a third person, must now of course be a matter of conjec- 
ture. It is certain that it in some way came into the possession 
of Dr. Stiles, for upon the back of it, in his own clear and distinct 
hand-writing, are the following remarks: — 

For the Kev. Dk. Charles Chauncy, Boston: — This Charter was presented 
to the Assembly August, 1763 ; recopied, with some alterations by the Baptists, in 
October; and passed the Assembly February, 1764. Principal alterations were : — 

1. By omitting "To all people, etc.. Greeting," in the initiatory address, the 
subsequent insertion in the body of the Charter, "Now, therefore, know ye," is an 
impropriety in clerkship. 

2. The Baptists have shown a greater affection for all other denominations than for 
the Congregationalists. 

3. Instead of eight or a majority of Congregationalists in the branch of the Fel- 
lowship, according to the original agreement, they have inserted eight Baptists ; thus 
assuming a majority of about two-thirds in both branches, hereby absorbing the whole 
power and government of the College, and thus, by the immutability of the numbers, 
establishing it a party College more explicitly and effectually than any college upon 
the continent. This is the most material alteration. 

4. Most of what is contained between the marginal crotchets in page six is omitted ; 
and the whole paragraph for securing the freedom of education with respect to religion, 
so mutilated as effectually to enable and empower the Baptists to practise the arts of 
insinuation, and proselyting upon the youth by private instruction, without the request 
of the parents. 

What "original agreement" was violated by the adoption of 
the present Charter ; in what respects Rhode Island College was 
established "a party college more explicitly and effectually than 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTER. 129 

any college upon the continent," referring, of course, to the six 
colleges in existence in the year 1764 ; and how the paragraph 
pertaining to religious freedom and sectarian differences of opinion 
" enables and empowers the Baptists to practice the arts of insin- 
uation and proselyting," we leave to the judgment and candor of 
our readers to decide. Either Dr. Stiles was in an irritable mood, 
when he appended these notes, or he was more imfriendly to the 
Institution than has been generally believed. His manuscript 
papers, it may not be improper to mention, abound in expressions 
of ill feeling towards both the College and its President. (See 
appendix to President Sears's Centennial Discourse, pp. 65-70.) 
The original Charter drafted by Dr. Stiles, is published entire, as 
has already been stated, in the appendix to Manning and Brown 
University. The corrections and alterations made by the com- 
mittee from Philadelphia, and which are now incorporated in the 
present Charter, are also published in a column by the side of the 
original paragraphs. 

From the foregoing accounts, or narratives, it appears, (1) 
That President Manning drew up a plan of the College, and pre- 
sented it to a company of Baptist gentlemen, at Newport, in the 
month of July, 1763. (2) That the Hon. Josias Lyndon and Col. 
Job Bennet were appointed to draw a Charter, in accordance with 
said plan, to be laid before the next General Assembly, with a 
petition that it might be made a law. (3) That the assistance of 
the Rev. Dr. Stiles, afterwards President of Yale College, was 
solicited and obtained. (4) That the drafting of the Charter 
was left entirely to Dr. Stiles ; and that he, in turn, was assisted 
by the Hon. William EUery. (5) That the Charter was accord- 
ingly drawn, and a time and place were appointed for the parties 
concerned to meet and hear it read. (6) That Manning, being 
obliged to leave on that day for Halifax, was unable to be with 
the committee long enough to see whether the original design 

17 



130 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

was secured, and that the Baptists, being satisfied, without suffi- 
cient examination into the authority vested in the Fellowship, 
and reposing entire confidence in Dr. Stiles, agreed to join in a 
petition to the General Assembly to have the Charter confirmed 
by authority. (7) That the petition and Charter were accord- 
ingly presented to the General Assembly in August, 1763, 
but that action thereon was postponed until the next session, 
through the influence of the Hon. Daniel Jenckes, the attempts 
of Mr. EUery and others of the Presbyterians to the contrary 
notwithstanding. (8) That the Charter was found on inspection 
to be so drawn as to vest the main power and direction of the 
Institution in a board of twelve Fellows, eight of whom were to 
be Congregationalists or Presbyterians, and the other four of the 
same denomination for aught that appeared to the contrary ; and 
that in general it did not answer to the original design. (9) That 
in this emergency application was made to the Philadelphia Asso- 
ciation, "where the thing took its rise," to have their mind on the 
subject. (10) That they immediately sent to Newport the Rev. 
Samuel Jones, who was accompanied by Robert Strettle Jones, 
and that when they arrived. Dr. Eyres, of Newport, was added to 
the committee. (11) That, meanwhile, the original copy of the 
Charter, presented to the General Assembly in August, and 
intrusted by that body to Mr. Jenckes, had been lost. (12) That 
the committee found at Newport a rough draft of this Charter, 
which they happily remodelled, and that the most material altera- 
tions were, appointing the same number of Baptists in the Fellow- 
ship that had been appointed of the Presbyterians by Dr. Stiles ; 
settling the Presidency in the Baptist society ; adding five Bap- 
tists to the Trustees ; putting more Episcopalians than Presby- 
terians in the Corporation ; and extending the membership of the 
Corporation to persons residing out of the Colony or State. 

The foregoing statements of Edwards, Manning and Jenckes 
respecting the origin of the College and the history of the Char- 



HISTORY OF THE CHAETER. 131 

ter, are fully established and confirmed by the historian Backus, 
whose accuracy, we believe, has never been called in question. 
Being in the prime and vigor of life when the College was founded, 
and one of its first Trustees, he was, of course, familiar with all 
the facts pertaining to its early history. 

The following letter, which forms a part of the Manuscript to 
which we have referred, and which appears to have been addressed 
to President Manning by Morgan Edwards, may with propriety 
be introduced here, although portions of it belong to a later 
period. The author was accustomed to express his opinions 
without reserve, and sometimes, perhaps, with a little too much 
pungency : — 

I should not have ventured to oppose my opinions to yours, had not facts, recent 
facts, decided the matter in my favor ; and sliown that the goodness and candor of the 
President have imposed on his judgment. Remember you not the first Charter ? While 
the Baptist College was yet in embryo they very disingenuously opposed it, as such, and 
contrived to make it their ov^n, since which disappointment. Dr. Stiles would have 
nothing to do with it, though courted again and again to accept even a Fellowship 
therein. And when the present Charter was presented to the Assembly at South 
Kingstown, remember you not what clamor they raised against it there ? And what 
stout opposition they made to the passage of it, insomuch that its friends thought it best 
to desist? And how they triumphed afterwards? And when the affair was brought 
on again at East Greenwich, the next session, you can never forget with what heat and 
coarse expression the same oppositions were renewed, nor the mortification and mur- 
murings whieth the passing of it occasioned. It is true, while the Charter lay dormant 
they remained easy ; and, as you say, appeared well pleased when you had set it on 
foot at Warren. But the reason of that is obvious. They knew that while the College 
stood friendless and moneyless, as it then did, they should have the pleasure to see it 
fall, and to mock those who began to build a tower and were not able to finish it. But 
seemed they good humored when money came thither from Europe ? or did they look 
as the man of Bristol did, at your first Commencement, and put the same invidious 
construction upon everything, that he did on the complacence you showed him that 
day ? Their good affection toward the College edifice was but varnish ; for while with 
specious arguments they would have it here, and anon there, and then, in another 
place, they were only working to prevent it being anywhere ; and soon as it had a 
locality and the beginning of its existence at Providence, did they not, with some 



132 BKOWN UNIYERSITY. 

misled Baptists, attempt to get another college, to destroy yours, and actually carried 
their design through the lower house ? This also failing, what remains but to prevent 
youth from resorting to it. Their slandering the officers of instruction, as insufficient; 
the town where it is in, as a lawless place ; the College, as wanting government ; their 
representing it as a nest of Anabaptists, calculated to make proselytes ; their visiting 
grammar schools and tampering with masters and parents ; their scolding Presbyterian 
youth, when they enter with you, as your neighbor Rowley did, who is capable of 
nothing but what is gross and indelicate ; their refusing to pay their subscriptions, 
etc., — are all intended to hurt what they could neither prevent nor destroy. Think 
you that their present opposition to the College is the effect of those newspaper complaints 
and threatenings of Presbyterian oppression in New England ? Why, then, did they 
oppose it before those complaints and threatenings had existence ? Think you they will 
be friends should we desist from these complaints and court their favor "? It cannot be, 
except Grod should once teach them to love their neighbors as themselves, and do as 
they would be done by. Destroying the Baptist College will pacify them, and nothing 
else. The existence of that on the hill of Providence is a Mordecai in the gate. I 
told you, long ago, that if you could not do without the Presbyterians, you could not 
do at all. I need not inform you that I deal in generals. I except the honest, the 
trusty, and the good, and some such Presbyterians I have met with, in their connec- 
tions with this College. God send us more, and mend the rest. 

The following is the Charter of Brown University, which was 
presented to the General Assembly in October, 1763, and adopted 
at an adjourned session, held in East Greenwich, in February, 
1764:— 

At the Greneral Assembly of the Governor and Company of the English Colony of 
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, in America, begun and 
holden by adjournment, at East Greenwich, within and for the Colony aforesaid, on 
the last Monday in February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
and sixty-four, and fourth of the reign of his most sacred Majesty George the Third, 
by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, and so forth. 

An Act for the Establishment of a College or University, within this Colony. 

Whereas institutions for liberal education are highly beneficial to society, by form- 
ing the rising generation to virtue, knowledge, and useful literature; and thus preserv- 
ing in the community a succession of men duly qualified for discharging the offices of 
life with usefulness and reputation, they have therefore justly merited and received 
the attention and encouragement of every wise and well-regulated State : And 



HISTORY OF THE CHAETER. 133 

whereas a public school or seminary, erected for that purpose within this Colony, 
to which the youth raay freely resort for education in the vernacular and learned 
languages, and in the hberal arts and sciences, would be for the general advantage and 
honor of the government : And whereas Daniel Jenckes, Esq., Nicholas Tillinghast, 
Esq., Nicholas Gardner, Esq., Col. Josias Lyndon, Col. Elisha Reynolds, Peleg 
Thurston, Esq., Simon Pease, Esq., John Tillinghast, Esq., George Hazard, Esq., 
Col. Job Bennet, Nicholas Easton, Esq., Arthur Fenner, Esq., Mr. Ezekiel Gardner, 
Mr. John Waterman, Mr. James Barker, Jr., Mr. John Holmes, Solomon Drown, 
Esq., Mr. Samuel Winsor, IMr. Joseph Sheldon, Charles Khodes, Esq., Mr. Nicholas 
Brown, Col. Barzillai Richmond, Mr. John Brown, Mr. Gideon Hoxsey, Mr. Thomas 
Eyres, Mr. Thomas Potter, Jr., Mr. Peleg Barker, Mr. Edward Thurston, Mr. 
William Redwood, Joseph Clarke, Esq., Mr. John G. Wanton, and Mr. Thomas 
Robinson, with many other persons, appear as undertakers in the valuable design : 
And thereupon a petition hath been preferred to this Assembly, praying that full 
liberty and power may be granted unto such of them, with others, as are hereafter 
mentioned, to found, endow, order and govern a college or university within this 
Colony; and that, for the more effectual execution of this design, they may be incor- 
porated into one body politic, to be known in the law, with the powers, privileges and 
franchises, necessary for the purposes aforesaid. 

Now, THEREFORE, KNOW YE, That being willing to encourage and patronize such an 
honorable and useful institution, we, the said Governor and Company, in General 
Assembly convened, do, for ourselves and our successors, in and by virtue of the 
power and authority within the jurisdiction of this Colony, to us by the Royal Charter 
granted and committed, enact, grant, constitute, ordain and declare, and it is hereby 
enacted, granted, constituted, ordained and declared, that the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, 
Esq., the Hon. Joseph Wanton, Jr., Esq., the Hon. Samuel Ward, Esq., the Hon. 
William Ellery, Esq., John Tillinghast, Esq., Simon Pease, Esq., James Honyman, 
Esq., Nicholas Easton, Esq., Nicholas Tillinghast, Esq., Darius Sessions, Esq., 
Joseph Harris, Esq., Francis Willett, Esq., William Logan, Esq., Daniel Jenckes, 
Esq., George Hazard, Esq., Nicholas Brown, Esq., Jeremiah Niles, Esq., Joshua 
Babcock, Esq., Mr. John G. Wanton, the Rev. Edward Upham, the Rev. Jeremiah 
Condy, the Rev. Marmaduke Brown, the Rev. Gardner Thurston, the Rev. Ezra 
Stiles, the Rev. John Graves, the Rev. John Maxson, the Rev. Samuel Winsor, the 
Rev. John Gano, the Rev. Morgan Edwards, the Rev. Isaac Eaton, the Rev. Samuel 
Stillman, the Rev. Samuel Jones, the Rev. James Manning, the Rev. Russel Mason, 
Col. Elisha Reynolds, Col. Josias Lyndon, Col. Job Bennet, Mr. Ephraim Bowen, 
Joshua Clarke, Esq., Capt Jonathan Slade, John Taylor, Esq., Mr. Robert Strettell 
Jones, Azariah Dunham, Esq., Mr. Edward Thurston, Jr., Mr. Thomas Eyres, 
Mr. Thomas Hazard, and Mr. Peleg Barker, or such or so many of them as shall, 
within twelve months from the date hereof, accept of this trust, and qualify themselves 



134 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

as hereinafter directed, and their successors, shall be forever hereafter one body corpo- 
rate and politic, in fact and name, to be known in law by the name of Trustees and 
Fellows oe the College ok University in the English Colony of Rhode Island 
AND Providence Plantations, in New England, in America ; the Trustees and 
Fellows, at any time hereafter, giving such more particular name to the College, in 
honor of the greatest and most distinguished benefactor, or otherwise, as they shall 
think proper; which name, so given, shall, in all acts, instruments and doings of the 
said body politic, be superadded to their corporate name aforesaid, and become a part 
of their legal appellation, by which it shall be forever known and distinguished : And 
that, by the same name, they and their successors, chosen by themselves, as hereafter 
prescribed, shall and may have perpetual succession ; and shall and may be persons 
able and capable, in the law, to sue and to be sued, to plead and to be impleaded, to 
answer and to be answered unto, to defend and to be defended against, in all and singular 
suits, causes, matters, actions and doings, of what kind soever : And also to have, take, 
possess, purchase, acquire, or otherwise receive and hold lands, tenements, heredita- 
ments, goods, chattels, or other estates ; of all which they may, and shall, stand and 
be seized, notwithstanding any misnomer of the College, or Corporation thereof; and 
by whatever name, or however imperfectly the same shall be described in gift, bequest, 
and assignment, provided the true intent of the assignor or benefactor be evident : 
Also the same to grant, demise, aliene, lease, use, manage and improve, according to 
the tenor of the donations, and to the purposes, trusts and uses, to which they shall be 
seized thereof. And full liberty, power and authority, are hereby granted unto the 
said Trustees and Fellows, and their successors, to found a College or University within 
this Colony, for promoting the liberal arts, and universal literature : And with the 
moneys, estates and revenues, of which they shall from time to time become legally 
seized as aforesaid, to endow the same : And erect the necessary buildings and edifices 
thereof on such place within this Colony as they shall think convenient : And gener- 
ally to regulate, order and govern the same, appoint officers, and make laws, as heroin- 
after prescribed; and hold, use and enjoy all the liberties, privileges, exemptions, 
dignities and immunities enjoyed by any college or university whatever. 

And furthermore. That the said Trustees and Fellows, and their successors, shall, 
and may, forever hereafter have a public seal, to use for all causes, matters and .'iffairs 
whatever, of them and their successors, and the same to alter, break and make anew, 
from time to time, at their will and pleasure ; which seal shall always be deposited 
with the President, or senior Fellow. 

And furthermore, by the authority aforesaid, it is hereby enacted, ordained and 
declared. That it is now, and at all times hereafter shall continue to be, the unalterable 
constitution of this College or University, that the Corporation thereof shall consist of 
two branches, to wit : That of the Trustees, and that of the Fellowship, with distinct, 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTEE. 135 

separate and respective powers : And that the number of the Trustees shall and may 
be thirty-six ; of which twenty-two shall forever be elected of the denomination called 
Baptists, or Antipaedobaptists ; five shall forever be elected of the denomination called 
Friends or Quakers ; four shall forever be elected of the denomination called Congre- 
gationalists, and five shall forever be elected of the denomination called Episcopalians : 
And that the succession in this branch shall be forever chosen and filled up from the 
respective denominations in this proportion, and according to these numbers ; which are 
hereby fixed, and shall remain to perpetuity immutably the same. And that the said 
Stephen Hopkins, Joseph Wanton, Samuel Ward, William Ellery, John Tillinghast, 
Simon Pease, James Honyman, Nicholas Easton, Nicholas Tillinghast, Darius Sessions, 
Joseph Harris, Francis Willet, Daniel Jenckes, G-eorge Hazard, Nicholas Brown, 
Jeremiah Niles, John Gr. Wanton, Joshua Clarke, Gardner Thurston, John Grraves, 
John Maxson, John Gano, Samuel Winsor, Isaac Eaton, Samuel Stillman, Russel Mason, 
Elisha Reynolds, Josias Lyndon, Job Bennet, Ephraim Bowen, John Taylor, Jonathan 
Slade, Robert Strettell Jones, AzariahDunham, Edward Thurston, Jr. and Peleg Barker, 
or such or so many of them as shall qualify themselves as aforesaid, shall be and they 
are hereby declared and established the first and present Trustees. And that the 
number of the Fellows, inclusive of the President (who shall always be a Fellow) 
shall and may be twelve ; of which, eight shall be forever elected of the denomination 
called Baptists, or Antipaadobaptists ; and the rest indifferently of any or all denomi- 
nations. And that the Rev. Edward Uphara, the Rev. Jeremiah Condy, the Rev. 
Marmaduke Brown, the Rev. Morgan Edwards, the Rev. Ezra Stiles, the Rev. Samuel 
Jones, the Rev. James Manning, William Logan, Esq., Joshua Babcock, Esq., Mr. 
Thomas Eyres, and Mr. Thomas Hazard, or such or so many of them as shall qualify 
themselves as aforesaid, shall be, and they are hereby declared the first and present 
Fellows and Fellowship, to whom the President, when hereafter elected, (who shall 
forever be of the denomination called Baptists, or Antipsedobaptists) shall be joined to 
complete the number. 

And furthermore, it is declared and ordained, That the succession in both branches 
shall at all times hereafter be filled up and supplied according to these numbers, and 
this established and invariable proportion, from the respective denominations, by the 
separate election of both branches of this Corporation, which shall at all times sit and 
act by separate and distinct powers : And in general, in order to the validity and 
consummation of all acts, there shall be in the exercise of their respective, separate 
and distinct powers, the joint concurrence of the Trustees and Fellows, by their 
respective majorities, except in adjudging and conferring the academical degrees, which 
shall forever belong, exclusively, to the Fellowship, as a learned Faculty. 

And furthermore, it is constituted. That the instruction and immediate government 
of the College shall forever be and rest in the President and Fellows or Fellowship. 



136 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

And furthermore, it is ordained, That there shall be a general meeting of the Cor- 
poration on the first Wednesday in September, annually, within the College edifice, 
and until the same be built, at such place as they shall appoint, to consult, advise, 
and transact the affairs of the College or University : At which, or at any other time, 
the public Commencement may be held and celebrated. And that, on any special 
emergencies, the President, with any two of the Fellows, or any three of the Fellows, 
exclusive of the President, may convoke, and they are hereby empowered to convoke, 
an assembly of the Corporation on twenty days notice : And that, in all meetings, 
the major vote of those present of the two branches respectively, shall be deemed 
their respective majorities aforesaid : Provided, That not less than twelve of the 
Trustees, and five of the Fellows, be a quorum of their respective branches : That 
the President, or, in his absence, the Senior Fellow present, shall always be Moderator 
of the Fellows : That the Corporation, at their annual meetings, once in three years, 
or oftener in case of death or removal, shall and may choose a Chancellor of the 
University, and Treasurer, from among the Trustees, and a Secretary from among the 
Fellows : That the nomination of the Chancellor shall be in the Trustees, whose 
office shall be only to preside as Moderator of the Trustees ; and that, in his absence, 
the Trustees shall choose a Moderator for the time being, by the name of Vioe-Chan- 
cellor : And at any of their meetings, duly formed as aforesaid, shall and may be 
elected a Trustee or Fellow, or Trustees or Fellows, in the room of those nominated 
in this Charter, who may refuse to accept, or in the room of those who may die, resign 
or be removed. 

And furthermore, it is enacted, ordained and declared, That this Corporation, at 
any of their meetings, regularly convened aforesaid, shall and may elect and appoint 
the President and Professors of languages, and the several parts of literature : And 
upon the demise of him or them, or either of them, their resignation or removal from 
his or their office, for misdemeanor, incapacity or unfaithfulness (for which he or they 
are hereby declared removable by this Corporation) others to elect and appoint in their 
room and stead : And at such meeting, upon the nomination of the Fellows, to elect 
and appoint tutors, stewards, butlers, and all such other officers usually appointed in 
colleges or universities, as they shall find necessary, and think fit to appoint fur pro- 
moting liberal education, and the well ordering the affairs of this College ; and them, 
or any of them, at their discretion, to remove, and substitute others in their places. 
And, in case any President, Trustee or Fellow, shall see cause to change his religious 
denomination, the Corporation is hereby empowered to declare his or their place or 
places vacant, and may proceed to fill up it or them accordingly, as before directed, 
otherwise each Trustee and Fellow, not an officer of instruction, shall continue in his 
office during life, or until resignation. And further, in case either of the religious 
denominations should decline taking a part in this catholic, comprehensive and liberal 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTEE. 137 

institution, the Trustees and Fellows shall and may complete their number, by electing 
from their respective denominations, always preserving their respective proportions 
herein before prescribed and determined : And all elections shall be by ballot, or 
written suffrage : And that a quorum of four Trustees and three Fellows may transact 
any business, excepting placing the College edifice, election of Trustees, President, 
Fellows and Professors, that is to say, so that their act shall be of force and validity, 
until the next annual meeting, and no longer. 

And it is further enacted and ordained by the authority aforesaid. That each 
Trustee and Fellow, as well those nominated in this Charter, as all that shall hereafter 
be duly elected, shall, previous to their acting in a corporate capacity, take the engage- 
ment of allegiance* prescribed by the law of this Colony to his Majesty King G-eorge 
the Third, his heirs and rightful successors to the crown of Great Britain, which 
engagement shall be administered to the present Trustees and Fellows, by the Gov- 
ernor or Deputy-Governor of this Colony, and to those from time to time hereafter 
elected by their respective Moderators, who are hereby empowered to administer the 
same 

And still more clearly to define and ascertain the respective powers of the two 
branches, on making and enacting laws, it is further ordained and declared, That the 
Fellowship shall have power, and are hereby empowered from time to time, and at all 
times hereafter, to make, enact, and publish, all such laws, statutes, regulations, and 
ordinances, with penalties, as to them shall seem meet, for the successful instruction 
and government of said College or University, not contrary to the spirit, extent, true 
meaning and intention, of the acts of the British Parliament, or the laws of this 
Colony ; and the same laws, statutes and ordinances, to repeal : Which laws, and the 
repeals thereof, shall be laid before the Trustees, and with their approbation shall be of 
force and validity, but not otherwise. And further, the Trustees and Fellows, at their 
meetings aforesaid, shall ascertain the salaries of the respective officers, and order the 
moneys assessed on the students for tuition, fines and incidental expenses, to be col- 
lected by the Steward, or such other officer as they shall appoint to collect the same; 
and the same, with their revenues, and other College estates in the hands of the Treas- 
urer, to appropriate in discharging salaries and other College debts : And the College 
accounts shall be annually audited and adjusted in the meeting of the Corporation. 

And furthermore, it is hereby enacted and declared. That into this liberal and 
catholic institution shall never be admitted any religious tests : But, on the contrary, 
all the members hereof shall forever enjoy full, free, absolute and uninterrupted liberty 
of conscience : And that the places of Professors, Tutors, and all other officers, the 

* A substitute for this engagement of allegiance to the King of Great Britain was adopted 
soon after the Declaration of American Independence. 
18 



138 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

President alone excepted, shall be free and open for all denominations of Protestants : 
And that youth of all religious denominations shall and may be freely admitted to the 
equal advantages, emoluments and honors of the College or University ; and shall 
receive a like fair, generous and equal treatment, during their residence therein, they 
conducting themselves peaceably, and conforming to the laws and statutes thereof. 
And that the public teaching shall, in general, respect the sciences; and that the 
sectarian differences of opinions, shall not make any part of the public and classical 
instruction ; although all religious controversies may be studied freely, examined and 
explained, by the President, Professors and Tutors, in a personal, separate and distinct 
manner, to the youth of any or each denomination : And above all, a constnnt regard 
be paid to, and effectual care taken of, the morals of the College, 

And furthermore, for the honor and encouragement of literature, we constitute and 
declare the Fellowship aforesaid a learned faculty ; and do hereby give, grant unto, 
and invest them and their successors with full power and authority, and they are 
hereby authorized and empowered by their President, and in his absence by the senior 
Fellow, or one of the Fellows appointed by themselves, at the anniversary Commence- 
ment, or at any other times, and at all times hereafter, to admit to and confer any and 
all the learned degrees, which can or ought to be given and conferred in any of the 
colleges or universities in America ; or any such other degrees of literary honor as 
they shall devise, upon any and all such candidates and persons as the President and 
Fellows, or Fellowship, shall judge worthy of the academical honors : Which power of 
conferring degrees is hereby restricted to the learned Faculty, who shall or may issue 
diplomas or certificates of such degrees, or confer degrees by diplomas, and authenticate 
them with the public seal of the Corporation, and the hands of the President and 
Secretary, and of all the Professors, as witnesses, and deliver them to the graduates 
as honorable and perpetual testimonies. 

And furthermore, for the greater encouragement of this seminary of learning, and 
that the same may be amply endowed and enfranchised with tlie same privileges, digni- 
ties and immunities, enjoyed by the American colleges, and European universities, 
we do grant, enact, ordain and declare, and it is hereby granted, enacted, ordained 
and declared. That the College estate, the estates, persons and families of the Presi- 
dent and Professors, for the time being, lying and being within the Colony, with the 
persons of the tutors and students, during their residence at the College, shall be freed 
and exempted from all t^xes, serving on juries, and menial services : And that the 
persons aforesaid shall be exempted from bearing arms, impresses and military services, 
except in case of an invasion. 

And furthermore, For establishing the perpetuity of this Corporation, and in case 
that at any time hereafter, through oversight, or otherwise through misapprehensions 
and mistaken constructions of the powers, liberties and franchises, herein contained, 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTER. 139 

any laws should be enacted, or any matters done and transacted by this Corporation 
contrary to the tenor of this Charter, it is hereby enacted, ordained ^nd declared, 
That all such laws, acts and doings, shall be in themselves null and void : Yet, 
nevertheless, the same shall not, in any courts of law, or by the General Assembly, be 
deemed, taken, interpreted or adjudged, into any avoidance, defeasance or forfeiture of 
this Charter ; but that the same shall be and remain unhurt, inviolate and entire, unto 
the said Corporation, in perpetual succession ; which Corporation may, at all times, 
and forever hereafter, proceed and continue to act : And all their acts, conformable 
to the powers, tenor, true intent and meaning of the Charter, shall be and remain in 
full force and validity; the nullity and avoidance of any such illegal acts to the 
contrary in any wise notwithstanding. 

And lastly, we the Governor and Company aforesaid, do, for ourselves and our 
successors, forever hereby enact, grant and confirm, unto the said Trustees and Fellows, 
and to their successors. That this Charter of incorporation, and every part thereof, 
shall be good and available in all things in the law, according to our true intent and 
meaning : And shall be construed, reputed and adjudged, in all cases, most favorably 
on the behalf and for the best benefit and behoof of the said Trustees and Fellows, 
and their successors, so as most effectually to answer the valuable ends of this useful 
Institution. 

In full testimony of which grant, and of all tjjje articles and matters therein con- 
tained, the said Governor and Company do hereby order. That this act shall be signed 
by the Governor and Secretary, and sealed with the public seal of this Colony, and 
registered in the Colony's records : And that the same, or an exemplification thereof, 
shall be a sufficient warrant to the said Corporation to hold, use and exercise, all the 
powers, franchises and immunities, herein contained. 

Signed and sealed at Newport, the twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, and in the fifth year of 
£l. s.] His Majesty's leign, George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great 
Britain, etc., King. 
Edwakd TiiubSTON, Jk., Deputy Secretary. ^^^'^^^ W^'^^' G^^^ernor. 

The provision in the foregoing Charter, exempting from taxa- 
tion the estates, persons and famihes of the President and Pro- 
fessors, has given rise to unhappy discussions throughout the 
State, and ahenated, doubtless, the sympathies of many from the 
University. It was so in the beginning. As early as June, 1772, 
in regular town meeting, the words "all taxes," in the College 
Charter, were considered as implying nothing more than "all 



140 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

taxes due to the Colony," and the annual town tax "was ordered 
to be assessed and levied on the estates of the President and 
Professor. The same thing was done in the two following years. 
In 1774, the assessors (Messrs. Joseph Brown, Christopher Sheldon 
and Nathaniel Wheaton) omitted to assess President Manning and 
Professor Howell, on the ground that they w^ere legally and prop- 
erly exempted by Charter. Thereupon ensued a long and pro- 
tracted discussion, which was carried on in the columns of the 
Providence Gazette, to w^hich the reader is referred. (See num- 
bers for February 5, February 12, April 16, April 30. and May 
28, 1774.) Much bitterness and not a little personal feeling were 
developed. It was proposed at one time to call a special town 
meeting on the subject, but wiser counsels prevailed, and the 
action of the assessors was sustained, and followed in succeeding 
years. The war which soon broke out with the mother country, 
and the great personal influence which Manning exerted over all 
classes of men, contributed not a little, perhaps, to this result. 

Among the archives of the University we find the following 
document, which may properly appear in connection with this 
subject: — 

In order to give satisfaction to the town of Providence, we whose nnmes aie under 
written, do declare and make known, that it is our real sentiment that the College 
estate within this town, (the edifice itself, the President's house and garden, and the 
land appropriated to the use of a yard to the College excepted,) together with the 
persons and estates of the President and Professors, are in law and justice bound to 
pay their equal proportion of the town rates. Therefore we do publicly and solemnly 
promise unto the freemen of the town now in town meeting assembled, that we will 
both in our public and private capacities exert ourselves to the utmost of our abilities 
to cause for the future all taxes that shall be levied on the persons and estates aforesaid 
by this town, to be punctually paid. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our 
hands in Providence, this 19th day of April, A. D. 1774. 

The original dociunent, of which the foregoing is a copy, is 
signed by Thomas Green, who, at the time of writing, was a 
member of the Corporation. 



HISTOEY OF THE CHARTER. 141 

Of late years this controversy in regard to the taxation of 
the President and Professors has been revived. Finally, during 
the progress of the recent civil war, a bill was introduced into 
the General Assembly to repeal the obnoxious provision of the 
Charter. The President of the University, it was well known, 
favored some movement of this kind, having a regard for the 
future good of the Institution over which he presided rather than 
his own immediate advantage. He argued, and with reason, that 
wealthy Professors, who were able to pay their taxes, were mainly 
benefited by the exemption, and not those who had but little if 
any property to be taxed. A public institution, he moreover 
contended, under a republican form of government like our own, 
could not really thrive without the good will of the public upon 
whose benefactions and sympathies it was dependent. On the 
other hand, it was contended that the General Assembly had 
never made any appropriation for the College, which had confer- 
red lasting benefits upon both city and State, and that any move- 
ment on the part of the assembled legislators, to interfere with 
the chartered rights and privileges which the Professors had 
enjoyed for a century, would be ungrateful and unjust. By wise 
concessions and judicious action on the part of the Corporation, 
the excitement and ill feeling incident to the discussion of this 
question were allayed, and the most friendly relations between 
the College and the public at large were established. The Presi- 
dent and Professors generously waived their rights under the 
Charter, and empowered the Trustees and Fellows to adopt any 
measures that might forward the interests of the University. A 
committee of the Corporation, in conference with a committee of 
the Legislature, secured the passage of an act, by wdiich exemp- 
tion from taxation was not to cover over ten thousand dollars. 
The validity of this act was made to depend on the assent of the 
Corporation, so that the inviolability of the Charter was thus 



142 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

recognized and preserved. In this form it secured a unanimous 
vote in the General Assembly, and also in a very large meeting 
of the Corporation convened expressly for this purpose. It is 
now, therefore, a law. So important a movement is worthy of 
special mention, and we therefore proceed to give at length the 
details. 

By a resolution of the City Council of Newport, passed on 
the 4th of March, 1862, their State Senator was instructed to 
endeavor to procure the alteration or repeal of so much of the 
Charter of Brown University, as exempts the property of the 
President and Professors from taxation; — the Council stating 
that in their opinion, there was no justifiable reason for such an 
exemption, especially at a time when all kinds of property were 
necessarily and heavily taxed for the support of government and 
the preservation of the Union. This resolution was presented to 
the Senate on the day following, and referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary for consideration. This Committee, at a special 
session of the General Assembly, submitted to the Senate, on the 
26th of August, 1862, a lengthy report, drawn up by the Hon. 
Elisha K Potter, of South Kingstown, together with an act or 
bill for repealing the obnoxious clause in the Charter, which reads 
as follows: — 

An Act to amend the Charter of Brown University by repealing so much thereof as 

exempts the estates, persons and families of the President and Professors from 

taxation. 

Whereas, in times of ) ublie danger all persons ought to bear their share of the 
public burdens in proportion to their ability, and this General Assembly have full 
confidence in the patriotism of the said President and Professors, and in their willing- 
ness to bear their proper share of the taxation necessary for the preservation of our 
Union and Constitution, therefore 
It is enacted by the Gtenbral Assembly as follows: 

So much of the act entitled ' ' An act for the establishment of a College or Uni- 
versity within this Colony," passed at the February session, A. D. 1764, as exempts 
the estates, persons and families of the President and 1 'rofessors of said Institution, 
now known as Brown liniversity, from taxation, is hereby repealed. 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTER. 143 

The act was passed, and the report, entitled, "Right of a 
Legislature to grant a Perpetual Exemption from Taxation," was 
ordered to be printed. 

In the House, however, after a spirited debate, the matter was 
finally referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, with instruc- 
tions for the Chairman, Hon. Richard W. Greene, LL. D., of 
Warwick, to present the whole subject to the Corporation of the 
University, of which he w^as himself a member, at their approach- 
ing annual meeting. This he accordingly did, and on the 4th of 
September, the Corporation referred the subject to a Select Com- 
mittee of five, with instructions to report at a special meeting of 
the Corporation to be held on the 21st of January, 1863. This 
Committee consisted of Dr. Samuel Boyd Tobey, Chancellor; 
Hon. John Kingsbury, LL. D., Secretary ; Hon. William S. Patten ; 
Hon. Isaac Davis, LL. D. ; and Hon. Benjamin F. Thurston. They 
prepared an elaborate and comprehensive report, which was duly 
presented at the special meeting of the Corporation. This Body, 
however, after a lengthy session, adjourned without action, leaving 
the matter still in the hands of the Committee. Meanwhile the 
House of Representatives, on the 9th of February, 1863, passed 
the following act, emanating, it is understood, from the Select 
Committee of the Corporation, the Senate, ten days afterwards, 
unanimously concurring in the same: — 

An Act to liuiit the exemption from taxation of the estates, persons and families of the 
President and Professors of Brown University. 

It is enacted by the Gteneral Assembly as follows : — 

Section 1. The Corporation of Brown University in Providence consenting 
hereto, That the estates, persons and families of the President and Professors for the 
time being of said University, and of their successors in oflBce, shall not hereafter be 
freed or exempted from taxes for more than the amount of ten thousand dollars for 
each of such officers, his estate, person and family included. 

Section 2. The vote of said Corporation, under the seal and certified by the 
Secretary thereof, declaring that the Corporation being authorized by the President 



144 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

and Professors of said University, does in behalf of the President and Professors and 
in behalf of said Corporation consent to this Act, shall be deemed and taken to be 
proof of their consent thereunto, when said vote shall have been filed in the office of 
the Secretary of State, 

The Corporation of the University, at a second special meet- 
ing, held Wednesday, February 11, which was largely attended, 
adopted the following by a unanimous vote : — 

Whereas, The General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, at its present 
session on the llth day of February, 1863, has passed an Act, the principal section of 
which is in the following woi'ds, viz. : — 

" Section 1. The Corporation of Brown University in Providence, consenting 
hereto. That the estates, persons, and families of the President and Professors for the 
time being, and of their successors in office, shall not hereafter be freed and exempted 
from taxes, for more than the amount of ten thousand dollars for each of such officers, 
his estate, person and family included," 

And whereas. The Institution of Brown University was established by its found- 
ers, was incorporated with liberal franchises by the State, has been maintained solely 
by private benefactions ; all uniting for the same noble object, that is, to create and 
promote a Seminary of religion and learning within this State, whose beneficent influ- 
ences should be diffused, at home and abroad, through all time, 

And whereas. Those influences can and will be most happily diffused and con- 
tinued by a cordial good will and a harmonious cooperation between the Greneral 
Assembly and citizens of this State and the University, 

And whereas. The General Assembly by its Act aforesaid, has expressed the 
opinion that the President and Professors should bear a portion of the burdens of 
taxation from which they are exempted by our Charter, and has made the validity of 
its said Act to depend upon the consent of this Corporation thereto, thereby affirming 
and maintaining the inviolability of said Charter, 

Therefore, in order to manifest our cordial compliance with a reasonable wish of 
the General Assembly, as expressed in said Act, 

It is hereby voted and declared by the Corporation of Brown University, that 
being authorized by the President and Professors of said University, this Corporation 
does, in behalf of the President and Professors, and in behalf of said Corporation, 
consent to the said Act, passed by the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island 
at its present session, as aforesaid ; ard the Secretary of this Corporation is hereby 
instructed to file a copy of this vote, under the seal of the Corporation, and certified 
by himself, in the office of the Secretary of State, as proof of the consent of this 
Corporation thereto. 



HISTORY OF THE CHARTER 



145 



Thus a vexed and difficult question was happily settled, and 
the Charter itself preserved intact. The removal, in consequence, 
of long-existing prejudices in the minds of the people towards 
the College, and the restoration of mutually cordial and friendly 
relations, are auspicious omens for the future. That the Univer- 
sity may keep on the even tenor of her way, diffusing throughout 
the State and the land sound learning and religion, and that the 
citizens, without distinction of sect or party, may hereafter honor 
and cherish her as "their own," is a consummation most earnestly 
to be desired by all her graduates, benefactors and friends. 

The following names of members of the Corporation at the 
time of the removal of the College to Providence, classified 
according to the religious denominations which they represented, 
as specified in the Charter, may be useful for reference, as also 
the names and residences of the present members : — 



Board o? Fellows. — 1770. 

BAPTISTS. 

Rev. James Manning, President. 

Rev. Morgan Edwards, Philadelphia. 

Rev. Edward Upham, Newport. 

Rev. Samuel Stillman, Boston. 

Rev. Hezckiah Smith, Haverhill. 

Rev. John Davis, Boston. 

Doct. Joshua Bahcock, Westerly, (Seventh 

Day Baptist.) 
Doct. Thomas Eyres, Newport. 

EPISCOPALIANS. 

Rev. Marmaduke Browne, Newport. 
Heniy Ward,* Esq., Newport. ' 

FllIEND. 

Doct. Jonathan Easton, Newport. 

CONGBEGATIONALIST. 

Doct. Jabez Bowen, Providence. 



Board of Ficlloavs. — 1867. 

BAPTISTS. 

Rev. Barnas Sears, D. D., LL. D., President. 
Hon. James H. Duncan, LL. D., Haverhill. 
John Carter Brown, A. M., Providence. 
Hon. Isaac Davis, LL. D., Worcester. 
Rev. Baron Stow, D. D., Boston. 
Rev. Alvah Woods, D. D., Providence. 
Rev. Samuel L. Caldwell, D. D , Providence. 
S. S. Bradford, A. M., Providence. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Rev. Edwards A. Park, D. D., Andover. 
Hon. John Kingsbury, LL. D., Providence. 

EPISCOPALIANS. 

Alexander Duncan, A. M., Providence. 
Hon. Charles S. Bradley, A. M., Providence. 



* Mr. Ward resigned his Fellowship in 1771, and was elected a Trustee in place of 
Robert Strettle Jones, of Philadelphia, a Baptist. Mr. Ward's place in the Fellowship was 
filled by the election of the Rev. George Bisset, of Newport. 
19 



146 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



Board of Trustees. — 1770. 

BAPTISTS. 

Hon. Samuel "Ward, Newport, (Seventh Day 

Daniel Jenckes, Esq., Providence. Baptist.) 

Nicholas Brown, Esq., Providence. 

Rev. Gardner Thurston, Newport. 

Rev. John Maxson, Newport, (Seventh Day 

Rev. John Gano, New York. Baptist.) 

Rev. Samuel Winsor, Johnston. 

Hon. Josias Lyndon, Newport. 

Simon Pease, Esq., Newport. 

Rev. Joshua Clarke, Hopkinton, (Seventh 

Col. Job Bonnet, Newport. Day Baptist.) 

Peleg Barker, Esq., Newport. 

Rev. Russell Mason, Swansea. 

Rev. Isaac Backus, Middleborough. 

Sylvester Child, Esq., Warren. 

John Tanner, Esq., Newport. 

Joseph Brown, Esq., Providence. 

Nathan Spear, Esq., Boston. 

Capt. John Warren, Newport. 

William Brown, Esq., Swansea. 

John Tillinghast, Esq., Newport. 

(One vacancy.) 

FRIENDS. 

Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Providence. 
John G. Wanton, Esq., Newport. 
Nicholas Easton, Esq., Middletown. 
Edward Thurston, Jr., Newport. 
Thomas Greene, Esq., Providence. 

EPISCOPALIANS. 

Gov. Joseph Wanton, Newport. 
Hon. James Honyman, Newport. 
George Hazard, Esq., Newport. 
Joseph Russell, Esq., Providence. 
(One vacancy.) 

CONGBEGATIONALISTS. 

Doct. Ephraim Bowen, Providence. 
Hon. Nicholas Cooke, Providence. 
Hon. Darius Sessions, Providence. 
James Helme, Esq., South Kingstown. 



Board of Trustees. — 1867. 

BAPTISTS. 

Rev. David Benedict, D. D., Pawtucket. 

Richard J. Arnold, A. M., Newport. 

Rev. Rufus Bahcock, D. D., New York. 

Rev. William Phillips, A. M., Providence., 

Rev. William Hague, D. D., Boston. 

Rev. Arthur S. Train, D. D., Framingham. 

Horatio N. Slater, Esq., Webster. 

Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, A. M., Providence. 

Hon. Charles Thurber, A. M., Brooklyn. 

Hon. Albert Day, Hartford. 

Rev. C. W. Flanders, D.'D., Kennebunk Port. 

Gardnir Colby, Esq., Newton Centre. 

Rev. John C. Stockbridge, D. D., Portland. 

Marshall Woods, A. M., Providence. 

Rev. Jonah G. Warren, D.D., Newton Centre. 

Rev. Heman Lincoln, D. D., Providence. 

Hon. Thomas G. Turner, Warren. 

Rev. A. H. Granger, D. D., Providence. 

Jefferson Borden, Esq., Fall River. 

Hon. J. Warren Merrill, Cambridge. 

John B. Hartwell, Esq., Providence. 

Hon. William Sprague, A. M., Providence. 

PRIENDS. 

Samuel Boyd Tobey, M. D., Providence. 
Hon. Richard W. Greene, LL. D., Warwick. 
Hon. Geo. Howland, A. M., New Bedford. 
Stephen A. Chase, Esq., Salem. 
George L. Collins, M. D., Providence. 

EPISCOPALIANS. 

Zachariah Allen, LL. D., Providence. 
Robert H. Ives, A. M., Providence. 
William A. Crocker, A. M., New York- 
Hon. Thomas P. Shepard, A. M., Providence. 
William Goddard, A. M., Providence. 

CONGBEGATIONALISTS. 

Hon. Edward Mellen, LL. D., Worcester. 
Hon. William S. Patten, A. M., Providence. 
Rev. Thatcher Thayer, D. D., Newport. 
Earl P. Mason, Esq., Providence. 



Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Chancellor. 
Hon. Samuel Ward, Vicc-ChanceUoi: 
Doct. Thomas Eyres, Secretary. 
Col. Job Bennet, Treasurer. 



Samuel Boyd Tobey, M. D., Chancellor. 
Hon. John Kingsbury, LL. D., Secretary. 
Marshall Woods, A. M., Treasurer. 



SUBSCRIPTIONS 



OBTAINED IN 



ENGLAND AND IRELAND. 



Rev. morgan EDWARDS. 



1707-17 69 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS, 




^T the first meeting of the Corporation, held in Newport 
^ on the first Wednesday in September, 1764, measures 
were taken to obtain funds for the endowment of the infant 
College. Committees to receive subscriptions, including in all 
the names of sixty-nine gentlemen, were appointed for Rhode 
Island, the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and the 
southern and western parts of the Continent. In the Philadel- 
phia, Charleston, and Warren Associations, and throughout the 
Baptist churches of America, the Institution was warmly com- 
mended, and every individual member thereof was recommended 
to contribute annually a small sum for its support, and the encour- 
agement of learning. 

Among the gentlemen with whom the Corporation corre- 
sponded on the subject of obtaining subscriptions for the College, 
was the Rev. Morgan Edwards, who had first proposed the found- 
ing of the Institution to the Philadelphia Association. He at 
once resolved to go on a mission to Great Britain and Ireland, 
where he had received his birth and education. The following 
"authorization" we copy from the records: — 



150 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

By the Honorable Samuel Ward, Esquire, Vice-Chancellor, and the Reverend James 
Manning, President of the College or University in the English Colony of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, in America. To the Rev- 
erend Morgan Edwards, A. M., of the City of Philadelphia, in the Province of 
Pennsylvania, Gtreeting : — 

Whereas, The General Assembly of the Colony aforesaid, did, by an act passed 
at their session held on the last Monday in February, 1764, incorporate certain persons 
therein named into one body corporate and politic ; and granted them a Charter, 
authorizing and empowering them and (heir successors to found, endow, order and 
govern a College or University within said Colony, as in and by the said Charter, 
reference thereto being made will fully and clearly at large appear : And whereas, the 
Corporation of the said College or University, reposing special trust and confidence in 
your abilities and integrity, and convinced of your disinterested zeal and ardor for 
promoting and completing the design of the General Assembly, did, at their meeting 
held by authority of, and agreeable to their Charter, at Newpoit, in the said Colony, 
on the day of the date hereof,* unanimously resolve, that you, the aforesaid Morgan 
Edwards, should be requested and empowered to proceed to Europe to solicit and 
receive donations for the aforesaid purpose : These are therefore to authorize and 
empower you, the said Morgan Edwards, to proceed with all convenient speed to 
Europe, and in any part of his Majesty's dominions, or elsewhere, to urge, solicit, and 
receive from the friends of useful literature, and other well disposed persons, donations 
and benefactions for the founding and endowing the College or University aforesaid : 
For all which donations and benefactions you are to be accountable to the Treasurer of 
said Corporation for the time being; your reasonable charges and expenses in soliciting 
the same being first deducted. 

In testimony whereof, the said Vice Chancellor and Presideiit have hereunto 

set their hands, and caused the seal of the Corporation to be affixed, in Newport 

aforesaid, this twentieth day of November, 1766, and in the seventh year of 

[l. s.] the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the grace of God, 

Kine: of Great Britain, etc. t -\/f ^ -d •! i. 

° ' Jamks Manning, President. 

Samuel Ward, Vice-Chancellor. 

The following letter to the General Assembly of the Church 
of Scotland, commending to their regards Mr. Edwards and his 
mission, we copy from an original document on file. Mr. Edwards, 
it appears, confined his solicitations to England and Ireland. The 

*Tlie date of the document, it will bo observed, is November 20, 1766 ; — but the annual 
meeting of the Corporation was held on the first Wednesday in September, 1766. 



EAKLY SUBSCEIPTIONS. 151 

letter is remarkably well expressed, and deserves a place in this 
documentary history of the College: — 

To the very Reverend, the Moderator, and the other members of the General Assembly 
of the Church of Scotland. 1'he Memorial of the Honorable Stephen Hopkins, 
Esq., Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in 
New England, and Chancellor of the College in the said Colony, and of the 
Reverend James Manning, President of the same, in behalf of the Corporation 
of the said College, sheweth: 

That tlie General Assembly of the said Colony, taking into consideration the 
disadvantages the inhabitants thereof lie under from the want of a College for the 
education of youth, and the great benefits that arise to society from a well ordered and 
liberal education, granted a charter incorporating the persons therein mentioned, and 
empowering them to erect, found and endow a College in the said Colony, for the 
promotion of learning upon a plan so extensive and charitable that protestants of all 
denominations may j^here freely be initiated in the useful arts and sciences, as by the 
charter will fully appear. 

The persons so appointed have accepted the trust reposed in them; but being- 
sensible that in this small Colony alone, it would be impossible to raise a sufficient 
fund for the purposes aforesaid, found themselves under a necessity to make application 
to the friends of literature in other parts of His Majesty's dominions, for their charitable 
assistance. 

Accordingly they have appointed and empowered the Reverend Mr. Morgan 
Edwards to solicit and receive donations for this Institution in Great Britain and 
Ireland ; whom we have desired to make application to you ; and take the liberty to 
recommend him as a gentleman of great merit, and a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. 
It will be in his power to give you every necessary information for forming a true 
judgment of this affair. 

To gentlemen of your piety and learning it is needless to attempt to point out the 
great utility of a sood education, and we have only to request that you will take this 
matter into consideration, and give Mr. Edwards such assistance and encouragement 
in the prosecution of this business as you shall think it deserves. 

We are, with great respect. Reverend Gentlemen, your most humble servants, 

James Manning, President. 
Stephiin Hopkins, Chancellor. 

Mr. Edwards set out for Europe in the month of February, 
1767. He appears to have been well received by his brethren 
in England, as is manifest from the following printed document: — 



152 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

The credentials of the Rev. Morgan Edwards, of Philadelph'a, being satisfactory 
to this assembly of General Baptists, (met at Horsly-down, May 25, 1768,) and he 
having laid before us a printed state of the Baptist College, in Rhode Island, and the 
design being approved by us, we do recommend the same to the serious consideration 
of the several congregations belonging to this assembly, to make collections and 
promote private contributions for the same, (the immediate expense of which is 
supposed to require about £2,000,) and that the money i^o collected be remitted to 
the Rev. Dr. Jeffries or the Rev. Daniel Noble, in London. Signed by order and in 
behalf of the whole, Grantham Killingworth. 

London, May 27, 17G8 : We whose names are underwritten having perused the 
charter of the Baptist College in Rhode Island government, and the Rev. Moigan 
Edwards's authority (under the seal of said College) to solicit donations towards 
endowing it, and having (some of us) been personally acquainted with Mr. Edwards, 
as well before his going to America, as since, do earnestly recommend his useful 
undertaking to the friends of religion and learning. 

John Gill, D. D., Samuel Stennett, D. D., Rev. Benjamin Wallin, Joseph Jeffries, 
D. D., Rev. C. Bulkley, Rev. Thomas Towle, William .Langford, D. D., Thomas 
Gibbons, D. I>., John Conder, D. D , Andrew Kippis, D. D., Rev. H. Evans, of 
Bristol. 

Mr. Edwards thus writes from London, to his friend, President 
Manning, at Warren, respecting the progress of the subscriptions : — 

London, April 26, 1768. 

My Dear Friend: — I long to hear from you. Your last was of October 12, 
1767. Why are you so slack? I informed you by post, January 7, of my compli- 
ance with your request touching Mr. Keith's demand ; and of a draught on you, value 
£66 14s 2c? sterling. The duj)licate of same draught I sent by a Boston vessel which 
sailed about the latter end of the same month. I hope one or the other is come safe 
to Mr. Tillinghast's h;)nds. Since that I have sent to Philadelphia, £219 lOs 4d. 
I might have sent more were I not suspicious that the exchange is low by reason of 
the number of vessels that sailed for that port for flour. Mr. Miles informed me that 
he had sold one of my Irish bills, value £83 10s Id, for £138 12s 4c/ currency, which 
gained for the College upwards of £13. I have not had any account of the sale of 
the other bill from the same country. I want much to hear how you intend to put 
the money out. 

Last week a banker gave me twenty guineas, with a promise of much more, on 
condition that the College, fi-om time to time, will correspond with, him, and show 
fairness and fidelity in the management of what money he and others intrust us with. 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 153 

I must desire, therefore, that the College will embrace the first opportunity to begin 
that correspondence, and acknowledge his kindness. You may direct to Mr. Samuel 
Koffey, banker in Lombard street, London. You must observe, also, that in England, 
as in Ireland, I solicit for money towards endowing the College, and therefore take 
care that you all attend to the design of the donors. 

Inclosed you have a list of all the sums I received in Ireland, which list was 
distributed in the several places where I have been. The design was to let every 
one of them see that T gave true credit for what I have received. Had Tenn-nt, 
D-vis, and Be-ty, and Whit-r* done so they would have prevented suspicions very 
injurious to themselves and to those that come after them on the like errand. Mr. 
Raffey told me that he has been called a rogue for aiding the said persons to raise 
money in London. 

If I were to stay in London ever so long I believe I should get money, but it 
comes so slowly and by such small sums that I cannot spai'e the time. However, I 
may depend on the friendship of two or three when I leave the kingdom, who have 
promised to solicit for us, and do not doubt but they will do more than I shall be able 
to accomplish, as they may watch convenient seasons. There have been no less than 
six cases of charity pushed about town this winter, viz. : two from Germany, two 
from the country of England, and two from America. The unwearied beneficence of 
the city of London is amazing ! 

Your newspapers, and letters from your government, published in other papers, 

have hurt me much. You boast of the many yards of cloth you manufacture, etc. 

This raises the indignation of the merchants and manufacturers. I have been not 

only denied by hundreds, but also abused on that score. My patience, my feet, and 

my assurance are much impaired. I took a cold in November, which stuck to me all 

winter, owing to my trampoosing the streets in all weathers. Pray let me hear from 

you by every opportunity. My love to Mrs. Manning, and believe me to be, with 

afiection and esteem, your brother and bumble servant, t.t t^ 

■' Morgan Edwards. 

P. S. I see in the York paper, an advertisement signifying that infant baptism is 
from heaven, proved at Newburyport. But the people of Haverhill do not seem to believe 

* In 1753, hy request of the Trustees of the College of New Jersey, the Preshyterian 
Synod of New York appointed the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, in conjunction with the Rev. 
(afterwards President) Samuel Davies, to cross the Atlantic and solicit funds for that Insti- 
tution. The mission was eminently successful ; hut the only account of it that remains is 
found in the diary of Mr. Davis. About the same time, or a little later, the Rev. Nathaniel 
"VVhitaker, accompanied by -Samson Cecum, an Indian preacher, solicited funds for Moor's 
Indian Charity School, afterwards Dartmouth College. Who the other person was to whom 
Edwards refers, we are not informed. 
20 



154 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY, 



that this image came down from Jupiter ; for the brave Hezekiah Smith, I hear, 
frequently uses the baptism of John. 

The following is the list to which Mr. Edwards refers in the 
foregoing letter: — 

A list of persons in Ireland, who have contributed towards endowing the College 
in Rhode Island government. Pubhshed, according to promise, partly for the honor 
of the benefactors, and partly to satisfy them and the College of the fidelity of their 
humble servant, by whom the money hath been collected. The sums are put down in 
English currency, because better known in America : — 
Cork. 



Joseph Fowke, 
Stephen Mills, - 
John Osburn, 
William Harrington, - 
Mary Murphy, 
Thomas Bible, - 
Susanna Pilson, 
Rev. Walter Richards, 
Riggs Falkiner, 
William Dixon, - 
James Rains, 
Thomas Strettell, 
Henry Wannell, 
Thomas Rogers Trayer, 
John Elliott, - 
Abraham Lane, 
Robert Stevelly, 
Francis Carleton, 
Joshua Harmon, 
Richard Pope, - 
James Aickin, 
James Emerson 
Mathew 0. Dwyer, 
Mary Newth, 
John Rolt, 
William Dobbin, 
Gerard Fehrman, - 
Abraham Fuller, 
Samuel Beale, 
Francis Allin, - 
Francis McCarthy, 
Greorge Eveleigh, 
William Lawton, - 



10 

1 1 



10 
10 

10 

1 1 

10 

1 1 
5 
10 
10 
2 

5 

1 1 
10 
5 

2 

1 1 

6 

1 1 
10 



Ebenezer Pike, - 
Caleb Beale, 
Humphry Crowly, 
Benjamin Pike, 
Daniel Jones. 
Nathaniel Lavit, 
William Parks, - 
Peter Cambridge, - 
James Ellis, 
George Randall, 
Joseph Abell, - 
John Devroux, 
Luke Grant, 
Nicholas Howell, - 
Thomas Price, - 
Thomas Jones, 
Samuel Neale, - 
John Dennis, 
George Newenham, 

Watersord. 
William Emerson, - 
Elizabeth Brown, 
Josiah Porter, 
Rev James Edwards, 
Hans Wallace, 
E. Edwards, M. D., - ' 
Hugh Ramsey, 
John Lyon, 
Thomas Jones, 
William Hammond, 
Rev. John Brown, - 



£ s. 

1 1 

10 

1 1 

10 

6 

2 2 

1 1 
1 1 

10 

1 1 



10 

1 1 

1 1 



10 
10 
10 
10 
10 

10 

1 1 



50 10 9 



8 8 



EAELY SUBSCEIPTIONS, 



165 



Dublin. 

Josepli Agitt, 
Mary Wilkinson, 
Mrs. Luke Kelly, - 
Richard White, - 
Samuel Powell. 
Robert Moore, - 
Abraham Wilkinson, 
Mary Thomas, - 
John Atkinson, 
John Fawcett, - 
William Coates, 
Robert Montgomery, - 
George Wilson, 
John Allen, 
William Hunt, 
Peter Wilkinson, 
George Gibson, 
Rachel Connor, - 
Samuel Tyndall, 
Richard Maxwell, 

B G on, 

William McGowan, 
Benjamin Nun, 
Nathaniel Stakes, 
James Booth, 
Samuel Gough, - 
Thomas Haffield, - 
Beau Champe, - 
Elizabeth Benn, 
Thomas Booth, - 
Rev. John Haughton, 
Thomas Bible, - 
Thomas Bond, 
Rebecka Gibbon, 
William Gibson, 
Elizabeth Brabing, 
James Manypeny, - 
Rev. Thomas Vance, - 
Rev. William Boulton, - 
Robert IMcGregor, 
James Goodman, - 
John Reilly, 
Robert Riky, 
Thomas Vickers, 
Edward Hincks, 



£ s. 
1 1 
1 1 

5 
10 

8 



10 

10 

1 1 



10 

1 1 

10 
10 
10 
10 
1 
10 

10 

1 1 

5 
10 

2 2 

5 

1 1 

10 

1 1 
1 1 

10 

10 

1 1 

1 1 

5 
10 





£ s. 


d. 


Isaac Simon. - - - 


1 1 





William Jackson, - 


- 10 


6 


George Maquay, 


1 1 





Joseph Nun, - - - 


- 1 1 





Col. James Dunn, 


1 1 





John Walker, 


- 5 





John Fury, ... 


1 





Nathaniel Mackay, 


- 5 





Anthony Grayson, 


1 1 





Nathaniel Garner, - 


- 10 


6 


Benjamin Page, 


10 


6 


John Barrow, 


- 5 





Mary McMaster, 


2 2 





John Armstong, 


- 1 1 





James Lang, - - . 


1 1 





James Young, 


- 1 





James Martin, - 


5 





S. Bushell, - 


- 10 


6 


Hester Hewetson, 


10 


6 


Robert Jaifi-ay, 


- 1 1 





David Aigoin, - - - 


10 


6 


Jeremiah Vickers, - 


- 10 


6 


Thomas Read, - - . 


1 1 





Thomas Garner, 


- 2 


6 


Miss Aigoin, . . . 


10 


6 


William Grubb, - 


- 10 


6 


Thomas King, - . - 


1 1 





John Stewart, 


- 1 1 





Samuel Edwards, 


10 







57 16 


3 


Belfast. 






Greggs and Cunningham, 


- 2 2 





Rev. Thomas Drennan, 


1 1 





Gilbert Orr, - 


- 1 1 





Robert Armstrong, 


10 


6 


Rev. James Saurin, 


- 1 1 





The first and second Presbyterian 




Churches, 


- 13 9 





Third Presbyterian Church, - 


14 15 


4 




33 19 10 


LrSBURN. 






William Nevill, 


- 1 1 





Rev. James Bryson, - 


0- 10 


6 


James Down and Connor, 


- 3 3 






156 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



£, s. d. 

John Hill, - - - 110 

Jacob Hancock, - - - 10 6 

Francis Burden, - - 110 

David Wilson, - - -110 

Henry Bell, - - - 16 3 

William Macten, - - - 10 6 

Alexander Legg, - - 110 



10 15 9 



Antrim. 
Thomas Thompson, - - 1 1 

John Grilmore, - - - 5 
John Thompson, - - - 1 1 
Thomas Hoope, - - - 10 
Charles Bell, - - - 10 

Kev. William Williamson, - 5 
Samuel McCormick, M. D., - 1 1 
Thomas Bell, - - - 10 
Thomas Shaw, - - - 10 
George Young, - - - 10 
John Meek, - - - - 2 
WilUam Meek, - 
Alexander McBurney, - 
James Duncan, - 
John Blackley, 
James Watt, 



Ballymony. 
Thomas Leiky, 
Rev. Laurence Grrace, 
Grift of the Presbyterian Church, 4 



COLERAINE. 

Hugh Lyle, - - - 

Alexander Lawrence, - 

William Smith, 

John Gait, 

Charles Haslett, 

Robert Rice, 

Susanna Ferguson, 

Fred. Ferguson, 

John Clarke Lewis, 

John Bell, 

Alexander McKachan, - 



£ s. d. 

Rev. Robert Higinbothom, - 10 6 

Rev. Arthur Kyle, - - 10 6 

James Thomson, - - 10 6 

William Mitchell, - - - 2 6 

Shuma White, - - - 5 

Alexander Patrick, - - 1 1 

William Gait, - - - 10 6 
Henry Newton, - - -.010 

John Hunter, - - - 2 6 

James Hamill, - - - 2 7 



5 





5 





5 





5 





2 


6 


10 6 


7 


2 


6 


1 1 





4 6 


3 


5 9 


9 


1 1 





10 


6 


5 





1 1 





10 


6 


2 


6 


2 


6 


2 


6 


3 





2 


6 


a 2 


6 





8 


1 


LONDONDEKRY. 






Rev. John Torrens, 


- 1 1 





William Hogg, - - - 


10 


6 


William Caldwell, - 


- 1 1 





John Fairly, ... 


1 1 





Samuel Hadfield, - 


- 1 1 





William Scott, - - - 


1 1 





Robert Fairly, 


- 10 


6 


Rev. John Hood, 


10 


6 


Rev. David Harvey, 


- 1 1 





John Atchison, - - - 


10 


9 


John Knox, - 


- 1 1 





Robert Alexander, 


10 


6 


James Thompson, - 


- 10 


6 


William McKean, 


1 1 





11 11 





Newry. 






Richard ap Richard, 


- 1 1 





George Glenny, 


5 





James Pollock, 


- 1 1 





Thomas Stewart, 


5 





Samuel McDowell, 


- 5 





William Beafh, - 


10 


6 


George Scott, 


- 2 


6 


Rev. James Moody, - 


10 


6 


John Pollock, 


- 1 1 






5 1 6 
Westmbath. 
Timothy Bagnal, - - - 1 1 
Timothy Bagnal, Jr., - - 10 6 
Joseph Lemmon, - - - 1 1 
Mrs. Knowland, - - - 110 



EAELY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 



157 



Thomas Booth, 
James Brennon, 
John Codd, - 
By sundry, . - 

Ormond. 
Rev. James North, 
Daniel Rogers, - 
Mich. Lewis, 
William Shortt, - 
Anna Wilkinson, - 
Thurgood North, 
William Rhodes, 
Grace Otway, 



jE s. 
10 
5 
5 
13 



5 7 



10 
2 
6 



John Cornwall, 
Alexander Cornwall, 
Thomas Ashton, 
John Lemmon, - 
Joseph Smith, 
Nicholas Middleton, 
James Shortt, 



j6 

- 



- 


- 

1 

- 1 



5 

5 

10 6 

10 6 

10 6 

1 

1 



9 12 
Rev. Phil. Dixon of Tullemore, 110 
Rev. Jas. Deaves of Garryard, ' 10 6 
Thomas Fouece of Tyrrels-pass, 10 6 

2 2 



Sum total collected in Ireland, 116 4 5 



Remitted to the College by Mr. Thompson of Derry, June 26, 1767, 
By Greggs and Cunningham of Belfast, July 13, 1767, 
By Falkiner and Mills from Cork, September 16, - 

By ditto, October 5, 1767, 

By Captain Seymore Hood, from Newry, 

By Richard Lemmon, from Cork, * - 



26 


5 





44 


4 


3 


84 








21 








8 


8 





2 


2 






Sum total remitted, 185 19 3 

Not yet received of the above subscriptions, - - - - - 2 7 

Necessary expenses, - - - 27 18 2 



216 4 5 

P. S. Mr. Edwards begs the excuse of those gentlemen on whom he has not 
been able to wait a second time to receive their subscriptions ; and desires they will be 
pleased to pay the same to Mr. Abraham Wilkinson of Park Street, or Mr. John Pym 
Joshua, of Ushers Quay, Dublin, who will soon be authorized by the College to solicit, 
receive, and remit money for its use. Mr. Edwards has also heard, since he left L'e- 
land, of several who expressed a willingness to become benefactors to said College. 
He thanks them for their good will ; and entreats them to deposit their gifts, whether 
money or books, with the above mentioned merchants in Dublin. This list may be 
had of the Rev, W. Boulton, in Golden Lane, Dublin. 

Mr. Edwards also publislied and circulated a second list, as 
follows: — 

A list of the gentlemen and ladies in England who have contributed towards 
endowing the College in Rhode Island government. In this list the publisher hath 
endeavored to give honor to whom honor is due, but if he hath failed in any instances, 
he hopes the party concerned will excuse it : — 



158 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



London. 

Rev. Dr. John Gill, 
Rev. Dr. Samuel Stennet, - 
Rev. Dr. Andrew Gifford, 
Rev. Dr. Joseph Jeffries, 
Rev. Daniel Noble, 
Rev. Charles Bulkley, 
Rev. John Stevens, 
Rev. Dr. John Conder, 
Rev. Dr. Thomas Gibbons, 
Rev. Thomas Towle, - 
Rev. William Clarke, 
Rev. John Potts. 
Rev. Joseph Jenkins, 
Ditto in Books, - 
The Hon. Thomas Penn, 
Thomas Llewelyn, Esq., 
Ditto in Books, 
Samuel RofFey, Esq., - 
Benjamin Franklin, Esq., 
Frederick Bull, Esq., - 
Robert Barlow, Esq., of Boston, 
Thomas HoUis, Esq., - 
Stephen Williams, Esq., 
Thomas Watson, Esq., 
Messrs. D. and J. Barclay, 
Mr. Benjamin West, - 
William Stead, Esq., 
Mr. Stephen Lowdell, 
Jenkin Jones, Esq., 
James Vere, Esq., - 
Grantham Killingworth, Esq., - 
Messrs. Harford and Powell, 
Messrs. Mildred, and Roberts, - 
John Mills, Esq., 
John Thornton, Esq., 
Timothy HoUis, Esq., -' 
Dr. John Fothergill, 
George Baskerville, Esq., 
Mr. William Weave, 
Samuel Stinton, Esq., 
Mr. ])avid Langton, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Halsey, 
Mrs. Martha Adams, 
Rev. John Potts, • 
Mr. George Wilkinson, - 



£ s. 

5 5 
10 10 
10 10 

5 5 



2 10 

20 

21 
10 10 
21 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 
10 10 

5 5 



Messrs. Lane, Son, and Eraser, 

Mr. Isaac Wane, - - . 

Messrs. Champion andDickason, 

Mr. Edward Jeffries, - 

Mr. Bartholomew Pomeroy, 

Mr. Granger, - - . 

J. Shearwood, Esq., 

Mr. Josepli Flight, 

Mr. Thomas Weston, 

Mr. Thomas Flight, - 

Mr. Robert Keen, - 

Mr. Vaughan, - - - 

Mr. John Hamman, 

Thomas Nash, Elsq., - 

Mr. John Gill, 

Mr. J. Mabbs, - 

Miss Flights, 

Mr John Flight, 

Mrs. Prudence Davis, 

Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson, - 

Mr. Joseph Robarts, 

Mr. Thomas Pewtress, 

Mr. George Keith, - 

Mr. Joseph Burch, 

Mr. Alexander Scott, 

Mr. Nicholas Beckrnan, 

Mr. Thomas Bell, - 

Mr. Stephen Dendy, - 

Mr. John Bowles, - - - 

Mr. Samuel Williams, 

Mr. Clement Bellamy, - 

Mr, Joseph Perry, 

Mrs. Ann Perry, - - - 

Mr, Joseph Perry, Jr., 

Mr. James Pearson, 

iMrs. Flight, 

Mr. Flight, - - - - 

Mrs, Mackmerds, 

Mr. James Smith, - - - 

Miss Elizabeth Butler, 

Mr. William Mace, 

Mr. George Darby, 

Mr. Ra. Jackson, - - - 

Mr. Edward Robarts, - 

Mr. John Wollaston, 

Mr. W^illiam Taylor, - 



5 
5 
5 

5 
5 

4 10 

3 3 

3 

8 

3 2 

3 

2 

2 

2 2 

2 2 

2 2 

2 2 

2 2 

2 2 

2 2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 



1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 



1 



1 
1 
1 
1 

1 1 





1 1 
1 1 



EARLY SUBSCEIPTIONS. 




1 


59 




£ 


s. 


d. 




je 


s. 


d. 


Mr. James Cahuel, 




1 


() 


Miss Guertz, - - - 


- 10 


6 


Mr. William Brittain, 




1 





Mr. John Young, 





5 


3 


Mr. Charles Barton, 




1 





Mr. Evan Davis, - 


- 


5 


3 


Mr. Eldridge, - 


10 


6 


Mr. Thomas Holford, - 





5 


3 


Mr. Thomas Nichols, 









Mr John Shenston, 


- 


5 


3 


Mr. John Hattersley, - 









Mr. John Williams, - 





5 





Mr John Cooper, - - 









Mr. Robert Sargeant, 


- 


5 


3 


Mr. Benjamin Forsitt, 









Mr. T. Treadway, 





5 


3 


Mr. T. Crawley, - 









Mr. James Murrey, 


- 


5 


3 


Mr. William Straphan, 









Mrs. Mayor, 





5 


3 


Mr. Henry Butt, - 









Mr. John Burnside, 


- 


5 


3 


Mr. Alexander Clunie, 









Mr. John Edwards, 





5 


3 


Mr. John Wells, - 









Mrs. Huslet, 


- 


2 


6 


Mr. Hugh Humston, - 









Mr. Joseph Sargeant, - 





2 


6 


Mr. Carrinj^ton Bowles, - 









Mr. Richard Rust, 


- 


2 





Mr. Isaac Jemmett, - 









Mr. Abraham King, - 





1 





Mr. Robert Plimpton, 









Mr. John Letham, 


- 


2 


6 


TVTr oTpvomifili T^irlonf; 

















Isaac Hollis, Esq., 











492 


9 





Miss Sarah Wiggins, - 









Bristol. 








Mr. Thomas Cox, - 









Rev. William Foot, 


- 2 


2 





Mr. T. Scofield, - 









Rev. John Needham, - 


10 


6 


Mr. Henry Keene, 









Rev. Hugh Evans, 


- 1 


1 





Mrs. Jane Knightly, - 









Rev. Caleb Evans, 


2 


2 





Mr. William Grace, 









Rev. James Newton, 


- 1 


1 





Mr. Guy Bryan, 









Rev. Dr. Stonehouse, - 


1 


1 





Leader Cox, Esq., - 









Rev. John Thomas, 


- 10 


6 


Mr. Henry Williams, - 


10 


6 


Rev. Jonathan Watts, 





5 





Mr. Thomas Kitchen, 


10 


6 


Messrs. John and Fred. Bull, 


- 5 


5 





Mr. Robert Hill, 


10 


6 


Miss Sarah Brown, 


3 


3 





Mr. Job Heath, 


10 


6 


Mr. John Harris, - 


- 2 


2 





Mr. S. Williams, 


10 


6 


Mr. Thomas Ludlow, - 


2 


2' 





Mr. John Davis, - - - 


10 


6 


Dr. Joseph Mason, 


- 2 


2 





Mr. Per. Mann, 


10 


6 


William Lunell, Esq., 









Mrs. Elizabeth Fawconer, 


10 


6 


Mr. Abr. Rich. Hawksworth, 


1 







Mr. Combes, - - . 


10 


6 


Mr. J. Champion, 









Mrs. Stiles, - - - - 


10 


6 


Mr. J. Banister, 


1 







Mrs. Mary Brine, 


10 


6 


Mrs. Ann Noble, 









Mr. John Williams, 


10 


6 


Mr. Abr. Ludlow, - 


1 







Mr. John Everard, 


10 


6 


Mr. William Ludlow, - 


1 11 


6 


Mr. ThomMS Yeoman, 


10 


6 


Mr. John Page, 


1 


1 





Mr. John Banett, 


10 


6 


Mr. John Stock, 




1 





Mr. Carlton, 


10 


6 


Mrs. Mary Stokes, - 


1 


1 





Mr. John Allen, 


10 


6 


Mr. William Reeve, - 




1 





Mr. George Warren, 


10 


6 


Mr. John Moore, - 


- 10 


6 


Mr. John Muggeridge, 


10 


6 


Miss Pages, ... 


10 


6 



160 BROWN u:^ 




£ s. 


d. 


Mr. John Edye, - 


10 


6 


Mr. Robert Cottle, 


10 


6 


Miss Sarah Farley, 


10 


6 


Mr. William Hazle, - 


10 


6 


Mr. Joseph Grimes, 


10 


6 


Mr. Anthony Henderson, - 


10 


6 


Mr. John Page, 


10 


6 


Mr. Robert Coleman, - 


10 


6 


Miss Eliz. and Rebecca Brown, 


10 


6 


Mrs. Dorcas Jolleif, - 


10 


6 


Mr. Joseph Green, 


10 


6 


Mr. Francis Collins, - 


10 


6 


Mr. Joseph Sevier, 


10 


6 


Mr. Samuel Waterford, 


10 


6 


Mr. William Frampton, - 


10 


6 


Mr. John Brown, 


10 


6 


Mrs. Mary Poole, - - - 


10 


6 


Mr. B.Chandle, 


10 


6 


Mr. William Cowles, 


10 


6 


Mrs. Susanna Rogers, 


10 


6 


Mr. Nath. Wraxall, 


10 


6 


Mr. Edward Daniel, - 


10 


6 


Mr. Nath. Watkins, 


10 


6 


Mr. Phihp Rose, 


10 


6 


Mr. Joseph Whittnck, - 


9 





Mr. Samuel Welton, - 


5 


3 


Mr. Samuel Allen, 


5 


B 


Mr. Benj. King, 


5 


3 


Mr. John Winwood, 


5 


3 


Mr. Benj. Brock, 


5 


3 


Mr. John Morgan, 


5 


3 


Mrs. Ele. Howldy, 


5 


3 


Mr. Edward Ransford, - 


5 


3 


Mr. David Cherry, 


5 


3 


Mr. Joseph Shapland, 


5 


3 


Mr. Lewis Watkins, - - . 


5 


6 


Mr. George Harris, 


5 


3 


Mr. Thomas Allard, - 


5 


3 


Mr. Wilham Edwards, - 


5 


3 


Mr. William Garnsey, 


5 


3 


Mr. Thomas Evans, 


5 


3 


Mr. John Stych, 


5 


3 


Mr. David Jones, - 


5 





Mr. Thomas Adiam, - 


5 





Mr. James Norton, 


2 


6 


Mr. Ch. Whittuck, - 


2 


6 



UNTVEESITY. 



Mr. John Parslow, 
Mr. John Biimble, 
Mrs. Sarah Burdock, 



Exeter. 
Rev. Thomas Lewis, 
By his Deacon, - - . 
Rev. Thomas Twining, - 
By his Deacon, - - - 
Mr. John Holmes, Jr., - 
Master and Miss Weymouth, 
Mr. Samuel Weymouth, - 
Mrs. Mary Bucklaud, - 
Mrs. Mary Maunder, 
Mr. Joshua Williams, 
Mr. A. H. Groth, - 
Mrs. Ann Jones, 
Mr. Samuel Dunsford, 
Mr. Joseph Pope, 
Mr. John Carely, - 
Mr. Robert Manning, - 
Mr. Caleb Blight, - 
Mr. Richard Strong, - 
Mr. James Newman, 



Taunton. 
Rev. Joshua Toulmin, - 
Rev. Richard Harrison, 
Rev. William Johnson, - 
Rev. John Ward, 
Rev. Mai. Blake, - 
Ebenezer Jeffries, Esq., 
Mr. Joseph Jeffries, 
James Kirkpatrick, Esq., 
Mr. Thomas Newcomen, - 
Col John Roberts, 
Mrs. Noble, 
Mr. John Westcott, - 
Mr. Benjamin Jeffries, - 
Mrs, Totterdale, 
Mr. Caleb Bryant, - 
Mr. Thomas Pope, 
Mr. John Cole, 
Mr. Abraham Sheppard, 



j6 s. d. 

2 6 

2 6 

10 



55 1 





1 7 





3 6 


3 


1 1 





1 10 


2 


2 12 


6 


1 11 


6 


1 1 





10 


6 


10 


6 


10 


6 


10 


6 


10 


6 


5 


3 


5 


3 


5 


3 


5 





5 





2 


6 


2 


6 



16 12 8 

110 

10 6 
10 6 
10 6 











1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

10 6 
10 6 
10 6 
10 6 
10 
10 6 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS, 



161 



Mr. Nehemiali Bewfey, 
Mrs. Ann Smith, 
Mr. Caleb Stower, 
Mr. Edward Cornish, - 
Mrs. Ann Cross, - 
Mr. William Stone, - 
Mr. Samuel Smith, 
Mr. Benjamin Boon, - 



Abingdon. 
Eev. David Turner, 
Joseph Butler,. Esq., 
Jos. Tompkins, Esq., 
William Tompkins, Esq., 
Benjamin Tompkins, Esq., 
Mr. Nat. Roberts, 
Mr. Joseph Fuller, 



£ 




c 









- 1 1 

10 10 

- 10 10 
10 10 

- 5 5 
5 5 

- 10 



Hythe. 
Rev. Thomas Piety, 
Gift of the Church, - 



5 5 
4 4 



17 12 9 



43 11 6 
Rye. 
Mr. David Guy, - -111 

Mr. Peter Jerman, of Breed, 110 
Dr. Thos. Frewen. of Northiam, 10 6 
Mr. Richard Batchellor, of ditto, 5 6 
Mr. George Quested, - - 5 
By Rev. Mr. Purdey's Deacon, 2 5 6 



5 8 6 



9 9 

FOLKSTONE. 

Rev Thomas Whitehead, - 10 6 

By his Deacon, (gift of Church,) 1111 

Mr. Robert Howard, - - 5 3 



12 6 9 



Smardin. 



Jenkin Hague, Esq., 

Mr. Russel, 

Gift of the Church, 



OXFOKD. 

Mr. William Plater, 
Mr. Samuel Fox, 
Archdale Rooke, Esq., 
Mr. Thomas Plater, 
Mrs. John Clarke, - 
Mr. Richard Williams, 
Miss Mary Fox, 
Mr. John Voysey, 



Cirencester. 
Mr. Joseph Freeman, - 
Mr. William Wilkins, - 
Mr. Thomas Dawson, - 
Mrs. Jane Overbury, 
Mr. Henry Wavel, 



Tedbury. 
Mr. Nath. Overbury, 
Mr. John Overbury, - 
Mr. William Overbury, - 



£. s. d. 

2 2 

1 1 

2 5 4 

5 8 4 



1 1 
1 1 
10 
10 
10 
10 
5 
4 



1 1 

10 
10 
10 
10 



Gift of the Church of Ashford, 
Mr. John Brown of Canterbury, 
By the Rev. Mr. Benge's Deacon, 



2 12 

3 17 
1 1 
1 6 



Remitted to the College by Mr. John Strettell, January 26, 1768, - 

By ditto, Feb. 15, 

By Mr. George Keith, January 1, - 

By Messrs. Pewtress and Robarts, March 25, 

By Mr George Wilkinson, April 1, - 

By ditto, April 26, 

By ditto, May 26, 

By ditto, August 12, - 



4 13 3 



3 3 

-110 

110 

- 10 6 



6 5 



Sum total collected in England, 675 14 3 



40 





22 


4 


66 14 


2 


52 10 





52 10 





52 10 





100 





52 10 






21 



162 BEOWN UNIVEKSITY. 

jE s. d. 

By Rev. Caleb Evans, of Bristol, June 27, 52 10 

By the Rev. Thomas Piety, of Hythe, May 12, ... - 550 

By Mr. George Wilkinson, August 12, - - - - - - 14 8 

In Books, some not yet sent, 1450 

Sum total remitted, ' " " ^^^ ^ ^ 

Necessary expenses hitherto, 89 169 

Cash in hand, 60 15 

675 14 3 

P. S. Mr. Edwards did intend to give receipts for all the sums he should receive, 
but finding that would be too tedious, he thought it best to print and publish the above 
list, which will answer the same end, as therein every benefactor will find that just 
credit is given him. It is possible that Mr. Edwards may be detained in England by 
contrary winds some time after the printing of this list, and in that time receive more 
donations ; if so, he will take care to give the public an account thereof, along with 
what money his friends may raise after his departure. Circular letters are sent to 
most parts of England and Wales, in hope that deficiencies may be made up, and Dr. 
Gill, Dr. Stennett, Dr. JeftVies, and Rev. Daniel Noble are appointed to receive and 
remit what may be gathered, whether money or books. Finally, Mr. Edwards takes this 
opportunity, in the name of the College to thank the benefactors to our infant Seminary, 
and most earnestly to entreat his reverend brethren, who shall receive his letters, to 
exert themselves in favor of a most liberal and catholic Institution. 

N. B. This list may be had of Mr. George Keith, Grace-church street. 

London, August 22, 1768. 

Mr. Edwards returned to America during the latter part of 
1768, and at the annual meeting of the Corporation in 1769, 
presented his account with the vouchers ; an abstract of which 
account we copy from the records: — 

Rhode Island College to Morgan Edwards, . - . Dr. 

To sundries and accounts rendered, . . - £896 16.s. M. 

Rhode Island College, .... Ck. 

By amount of donations in Ireland, - £213 17s. bd. 

England, - 665 4 3 

By sundry smaller donations, as per accounts 

exhibited, inclusive of his own subscription, 9 8 6 

888 10 2 

Balance due to Morgan Edwards, - - - £8 6s. 4rf. 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 163 

Whicli being referred to the committee appointed to examine the College accounts, 
they made the following report, viz, : — 

Warren, September 6, 1769. 
The subscribers being a committee to examine the above accounts, have compared 
it with the vouchers, and find the above sum of eight pounds six shillings and four 
pence sterling due to Mr. Edwards. 

Edward Upham, Nicholas Brown, 
Joseph Russell, Jabez Bowen Jr., 

Archibald Campbell. 
Which report was unanimously accepted by the Corporation. 

From the foregoing it appears that Mr. Edwards obtained for 
the College the sum of <£888 10s. '^d. sterling, which, he remarks 
in his narrative, was succeeding " pretty well, considering how 
angry the mother country then was with the colonies for opposing 
the stamp act." 

In order that this sum might constitute a permanent fund for 
the support of the President, it was 

Voted, That the certificate presented to this Corporation by the Rev. Morgan 
Edwards, be recorded, which is as follows, viz. : — 

Whereas, a law of the College, (made at Newport, September, 1, 1768,) secures 
the money raised in Europe for the purpose for which it was intended by the donors, 
this certifies that their design was, That the interest thereof should forever go to pay 
the salnry of the President. 

■r,^ a i I, rr ^na(\ MOUGAN EdWARDS. 

Warken, beptember 7, 1769. 

The original subscription book of Morgan Edwards, somewhat 
the worse for wear, is now among the College archives. This 
important document, we may add, was presented to the Library 
in the year 1849, by Mr. Joshua Edwards, through the Rev. 
Richard Webster, pastor of a Presbyterian church in Mauch 
Chunk, Pennsylvania. This Mr. Edwards was the son of Rev. 
Morgan Edwards. He was then living, although upwards of 
eighty years of age. The certificate, form of a receipt, and 
introduction are printed; — the rest is in manuscript. The sub- 



164 BEOWN UNIYEESITY. 

scriptions are mostly in the hand-writing of the subscribers, and 
the document is therefore one of exceeding great value as a col- 
lection of autographs. 

The reader will not fail to observe how prominent the name 
of Morgan Edwards appears in the early history of the College. 
He first proposed the founding of it to the Philadelphia Associa- 
tion ; he was particularly active in obtaining a charter from the 
General Assembly, and in procuring the first funds for the 
endowment of the Institution, deeming this, to use his own lan- 
guage, " the greatest service he has done or hopes to do for the 
Baptist interest;"* he attended the early meetings of the Corpo- 
ration, and w^as in communication with the Browns in regard to 
the matter of location ; he preached the first " Commencement 
Sermon," and when the President seemed in doubt whether to 
go with the College to Providence, or retain his pastoral relations 
with the church at Warren, he wrote him from Philadelphia a 
vigorous letter of remonstrance, to which we have referred in 
our history of the Charter: — 

I cannot help being angry with you when you talk of another President. Have 
you endured so much hardship in vain ? We have no man that will do as well as you. 
Talk no more, think no more of quitting the Presidency, unless you have a mind to 
join issue with those projectors and talkers who mean no more than to hinder anything 
from being done. If you go to Providence, the Warren people may have a supply; 
if they were willing to part with you, it is likely the College would have no reason to 
covet you. 

Before taking our leave of Mr. Edwards, we may add a few 
particulars respecting his early life and professional career. He 
retained his connection with the church in Philadelphia ten years, 
during the latter part of which time his relations, it is understood, 
were not entirely harmonious. In the year 1770, he preached a 
new years sermon from the text, " This year thou shalt die." He 

* " Materials towards a History of the Baptists in Pennsylvania," page 48. 



EAELY SUSCKIPTIONS. 165 

had, from some unaccountable impulse, been led to believe that 
he should die on a particular day, and this sermon was supposed 
by some to have been intended as his own funeral sermon. This 
circumstance could not but affect his reputation injuriously. In 
addition to this, he is said to have indulged, occasionally, in the 
excessive use of intoxicating drinks. Under these circumstances, 
he voluntarily resigned his charge, preaching occasionally until 
the settlement of his successor, Dr. Rogers, in 1772. The follow- 
ing extracts from letters in our possession addressed to the Rev. 
Hezekiah Smith, by the Rev. Messrs. Francis Pelot and Oliver 
Hart, of South Carolina, show Mr. Edwards's position at this 
time in a friendly light. The first is dated October 28, 1771. 
"I then wish" (referring to the Philadelphia church) "they would 
aoTce with their Mr. Edwards again. Thus I argue to myself: 'If 
he may preach occasionally, why not steadily ? ' •• Oh ! but he has 
not behaved as well as he should.' I reply, 'There cannot be 
anything immoral, or he would not be allowed to preach occa- 
sionally, and the mantle charity w^ould easily cover small imper- 
fections. Besides, the present dissatisfaction, no doubt, would 
make him more cautious for the future, and might be a means of 
preserving the usefulness of a talented man — a man who has 
scarce hi& fellow in a warm attachment to the Baptist interest." 
In a letter dated April 8, 1772, Mr. Pelot adds : " We were fav- 
ored with the company of Rev. Morgan Edwards at my house 
for about a week in last January. We also had his company at 
our Association. We all esteem him as a sensible, good man, 
and he left us all full of love to him." Rev. Oliver Hart, of 
Charleston, in a letter dated February 27, 1772, thus writes : 
" Rev. Mr. Edwards, from Philadelphia, has been here, and tarried 
with us about three weeks. He is a great good man, but some 
say he preaches too slow." And in a second letter, written the 
next month, he further adds : " In my last I informed you that 



166 BEOWN TJNIVEESITY. 

we had the pleasure of Mr. Edwards's company at our Association. 
He is a great good man ; firmly attached to the Baptist interest, 
to promote which he cheerfully encounters all difficulties." These 
testimonials, coming voluntarily from two of the most prominent 
Baptist ministers of the South, show that Mr. Edwards, even at a 
time when his sun appeared to be obscured, was a man highly 
esteemed, and that he was worthy of the honor, which is accorded 
to him, of having been the prime mover in originating and found- 
ing Brown University. 

In the year 1772, he removed with his family to Newark, 
Delaware, and was occupied in preaching in a number of vacant 
churches till the commencement of the Revolutionary war. He 
then remained silent until the war was over, owing, doubtless, to 
the fact that he adhered to the cause of Great Britain, and was 
justly ranked with the Tories ; although it is understood that his 
Toryism was rather a matter of principle than of action. Presi- 
dent Manning, in his diary,* speaks of visiting Col. Miles, in the 
year 1779, at his -^ elegant seat," thirteen miles from Philadel- 
phia, in company with Edwards and Dr. Jones, thus showing that 
political differences did not interrupt their friendship. After the 
Revolution, Mr. Edwards occasionally read lectures on Divinity 
in Philadelphia, and other parts of Pennsylvania ; also in New 
Jersey, Delaware and New England ; but, owing to the unhappy 
fall already alluded to, as well as to his political sentiments, he 
declined ever after to resume the active duties of the ministry. 
From passages in the correspondence of Manning, it appears, 
furthermore, that he sympathized with Elhanan Winchester, 
whose "apostasy," as it was termed, and his conduct in relation 
to the church at Philadelphia, caused him to be excluded from 
fellowship with the Baptist associations. In a letter to the Rev. 

* Manning and Brown Univeksity, pp. 279-80. 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 167 

John Eippon, of London, dated August 3, 1784, Manning thus 
writes: — 

Mr. Morgan Edwards has not printed in vindication of his (Winchester's) princi- 
ples, but he read me a manuscript more than a year since on that subject, which he did 
not own, though charged then with being the author. He did not deny it ; whereby 
be was entreated not to add the printing of this to the long list of imprudent things 
which had already so greatly grieved his friends and ?o injured his reputation. This 
plainness did not please him, but I thought the use of it was duty. 

Mr. Edwards died at a place then called Pencader, Delaware, 
January 28, 1795, in the seventy-third year of his age. His 
funeral sermon w^as preached by the Rev. Dr. William Rogers, of 
Philadelphia, on 11. Cor. vi. 8: — "By honor and dishonor; by 
evil report and good report ; as deceivers and yet true." Xhe 
text was selected by himself, and designed, as some suppose, to 
have a bearing upon his own peculiar history. A portion of this 
discourse, which was published in Dr. Rippon's Annual Register, 
a work printed in London, may fitly close this chapter: — 

Honor, Mr. Edwards certainly had, both in Europe and America. The college 
and academy of Philadelphia, at a very early period, honored him as a man of learn- 
ing and a popular preacher, with a diploma, constituting him Master of Arts : this 
was followed by a degree ad eundem, in the year 1769, from the College of Rhode 
Island, being the first commencement in that Institution. In this Seminary he held a 
Fellowship, and filled it with reputation, till he voluntarily resigned it in 1789 ; age 
and distance having rendered him incapable of attending the meetings of the Corpora- 
tion any longer. 

He also met with dishonor; but he complained not much of this, as it was occasioned 
by his strong attachment to the Royal Family of Great Britain, in the beginning of the 
American war, which fixed on him the name of a Tory : this I should have omitted 
mentioning, had not the deceased expressly enjoined it upon me. For any person to 
have been so marked out in those days was enough to bring on political opposition and 
destruction of property : all of which took place with respect to Mr. Edwards, though 
he never harbored the thought of doing the least injury to the United States by abet- 
ting the cause of our enemies. 

A good report our departed brother also had : the numerous letters brought with 
him across the Atlantic from the Rev. Dr. John Gill, and others, reported handsome 



168 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

things of him ; and so did, in return, the letters that went from America to the then 
parent country. Evil reports also fell to his share ; but most of these were false 
reports, and therefore he gave credit for them as a species of persecution ; and even 
the title of a deceiver did not* escape him. Often has he been told that he was an 
Arminian, though he professed to be a Calvinist ; that he was an Universalist in 
disguise, etc., yet he was true to his principles. These may be seen in our confession 
of faith, agreeing with that republished by the Baptist churches assembled at London 
in the year 1689. He seldom meddled with the five polemical points ; but when he 
did, he always avoided abusive language. The charge of Universalism brought against 
him was not altogether groundless ; for though he was not an Universalist himself, he 
professed a great regard for many who were, and he would sometimes take their part 
against violent opposers, in order to inculcate moderation. 

Mr. Edwards was born in Trevethin paiish, Monmouthshire, in the Principality of 
Wales, on May 9, 1722, old style; and had his grammar learning in the same parish, 
at a village called Trosnant : afterwards he was placed in the Baptist seminary at 
Bristol, in Old England, at the time the President's chair was filled by the Rev. Mr. 
Foskett. He entered on the ministry in the sixteenth year of his age. After he had 
finished his academical studies, he went to Boston, in Lincolnshire, where he continued 
seven years, preaching the gospel to a small congregation in that town From Boston 
he removed to Cork, in Ireland, where he was ordained June 1, 1750, and resided 
nine years. From Cork he returned to Great Britain, and preached about twelve 
months at Eye, in Sussex. While at Rye, the Rev. Dr. Grill, and other London 
ministers, in pursuance of letters which they received from this church, (Philadelphia,) 
urged him to pay you a visit. He complied, took his passage for America, arrived 
here May 23, 1761, and shortly afterwards became your pastor. He had the oversight 
of this church for many years ; voluntarily resigned his office when he found the cause, 
which was so near and dear to his heart, sinking under his hands ; but continued 
preaching to the people till they obtained another minister, the person who now 
addresses you, in the procuring of whom he was not inactive. 

After this, Mr. Edwards purchased a plantation in Newark, Newcastle county, 
state of Delaware, and moved thither with his family in the year 1772 ; he continued 
preaching the word of life and salvation in a number of vacant churches till the com- 
mencement of the American war. He then desisted and remained silent till after the 
termination of our revolutionary troubles, and a consequent reconciliation with this 
church : he then occasionally read lectures in Divinity in this city, and other parts of 
Pennsylvania ; also in New Jersey, Delaware, and in New England ; but for very 
particular and affecting reasons, could never be prevailed upon to resume the sacred 
character of a minister. 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 169 

Our worthy friend departed this life, at Pencader, Newcastle county, Delaware 
state, on Wednesday the 28th of January last, in the seventy-third year of his age, 
and was buried, agreeably to his own desire, in the aisle of this meeting-house, with 
his first wife and their children ; her maiden name was Mary Nun, originally of Cork, 
in Ireland, by whom he had several children, all of whom are dead, excepting two 
sons, William* and Joshua : the first, if alive, is a military ofiicer in the British 
service ; the other is now present with us, paying this last public tribute of filial 
afiection to the memory of a fond and pious parent ! Mr. Edwards's second wife was 
a Mrs. Singleton, of the state of Delaware, who is also dead, by whom he had no issue. 

Several of Mr. Edwards's pieces have appeared in print; namely: (1.) A farewell 
discourse delivered at the Baptist meeting in Rye, on February 8, 1761, on Acts xx. 
25, 26 This passed thi'ough two editions, 8vo. (2.) A sermon preached in the 
college of Philadelphia, at the ordination of the Eev. Samuel Jones, A. B., (now 
D. D.,) with a narrative of the manner in which the ordination was conducted, 8vo. 
(3.) The Customs of Primitive Churches, or a set of Propositions relative to the 
Name, Materials, Constitution, Power, Officers, Ordinances, etc., of a Church, to 
which are added, their Proofs from Scripture, and historical narratives of the manner 
in which most of them have been reduced to practice, 4to. This book was intended 
for the ministers of the Philadelphia Association, in hopes they would have improved 
on the plan, so that their joint productions might have introduced a full and unexcep- 
tionable treatise of church discipline. (4.) A New Year's Gift; a sermon preached 
in this house, January 1, 1770, from these words : This year thou shalt die; which 
passed through four editions. What gave rise to this discourse will probably be 
recollected for many years to come. (5.) Materials towards a History of the Baptists 
in Pennsylvania, both British and German, distinguished into First day — Keithian — 
Seventh day — Tuncker and Mennonist Baptists, 12mo. 1770. (6.) Materials towards 
a history of the Baptists in New Jersey, distinguished into First day — Seventh day — 
Tuncker and Rogerene Baptists, 12mo. 1792. The motto of both volumes is, Lo ! a 
people that dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. (7.) A 
Treatise on the Millennium. (8.) A Treatise on the New Heaven and New Earth: 
this was reprinted in London. (9.) Res Sacra, a translation from the Latin : the 
subject of this piece is an enumeration of all the acts of public worship which the New 
Testament styles ofierings and sacrifices ; among which, giving money for religious 

* William graduated in the class of 1776, under President Manning, at the very early- 
age of fourteen. An account of the Commencement for 1770, published in the Pkovidence 
Gazette, says : " The business of the day being concluded, and before the assembly broke 
up, a piece from Homer was pronounced by Master Billy Edwards, one of the Grammar 
School boys, not nine years old." 
22 



170 BROWN UNIYEESITY. 

uses is one ; and therefore, according to Mr. Edwards's opinion, is to be done in the 
places of public worship, and with equal devotion. 

Besides what he gave to his intimate friends as tokens of personal regard, he has 
left behind him forty-two volumes of sermons, twelve sermons to a volume, all written 
in a large print hand : also about a dozen volumes in quarto, on special subjects ; in 
some of which he was respondent ; and therefore they may not contain his own real 
sentiments : these, with many other things, unite to show that he was no idler. 

He used to recommend it to ministers to write their sermons at large, but not to 
read them in the pulpit ; if they did, he advised the preacher to write a large, fair 
hand, and make himself so much master of his subject, that a glance might take in a 
whole page. Being a good classic, and a man of refinement, he was vexed with such 
discourses from the pulpit as deserved no attention, and much more to hear barbarisms ; 
because, (as he used to say,) "They were arguments either of vanity or indolence, 
or both ; for an American, with an English grammar in his hand, a learned friend at 
his elbow, and close application for six months, might make himself master of his 
mother tongue." 

The Baptist churches are much indebted to Mr. Edwards. They will long remem- 
ber the time and talents he devoted to their best interests both in Europe and America. 
Very far was he from being a selfish person ; when the arrears of his salary, as pastor 
of this church, amounted to upwards of £372, and he was put in possession of a 
house by the church till the principal and interest should be paid, he resigned the 
house, and relinquished a great part of the debt, lest the church should be distressed. 

The College of Rhode Island is also greatly beholden to him for his vigorous 
exertions at home and abroad, in raising money for that Institution, and for his partic- 
ular activity in procuring its Charter ; this he deemed the greatest service he ever did 
for the honor of the Baptist name. As one of its first sons, I cheerfully make this 
public testimony of his laudable and well-timed zeal. 

In the first volume of his Materials, he proposed a plan for uniting all the Baptists 
on the continent in one body politic, by having the Association of Philadelphia (the 
centre) incorporated by charter, and by taking one delegate out of each Association 
into the corporation ; but finding this impracticable at that time, he visited the churches, 
from New Hampshire to Georgia, gathering materials towards the history of the whole. 
Permit me to add, that this plan of union, as yet, has not succeeded. 

Mr. Edwards was the moving cause of having the minutes of the Philadelphia 
Association printed, which he could not bring to bear for some years ; and therefore, at 
his own expense, he printed tables, exhibiting the original and annual state of the 
associating churches 

There was nothing uncommon in Mr. Edwards's person ; but he possessed an 
original genius. By his travels in England, Ireland, and America, commixing with 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 171 

all sorts of people, and by close application to reading, he had attained a remarkable 
ease of behavior in company, and was furnished with something pleasant or informing 
to say on all occasions. His Greek Testament was his favorite companion, of which 
he was a complete master : his Hebrew Bible next ; but he was not so well versed in 
the Hebrew as in the Greek language ; however, he knew so much of both as author- 
ized him to say, (as he often did,) that the Greek and Hebrew are the two eyes of a 
minister ; and that translations are but commentaries, because they vary in sense as 
commentators do. He preferred the ancient British version above any other version 
that he had read ; observing, that the idioms of the Welsh fitted those of the Hebrew 
and Greek like hand and glove. Perhaps, no other language corresponds so well with 
them, except the Arminian; of which L'Enfant and Beausobre, in the preface to 
their new French translation, say " that the Arminian Testament is a literal version, 
without the alteration of phrases, or supplements to help out the sense." 

Our aged and respectable friend is gone the way of all the earth ; but he lived to 
a good old age, and with the utmost composure closed his eyes on all the things of 
time. Though he is gone, this is not gone with him ; it remains with us, that the 
Baptist interest was ever uppermost with him, and that he labored more to promote it 
than to promote his own ; and this he did, because he believed it to be the interest of 
Christ above any in Christendom. His becoming a Baptist was the effect of previous 
examination and conviction, having been brought up in the Episcopal Church, for 
which church he retained a particular regard during his whole life. 




I! 



**j| 



ACCOUNT 



FINAL LOCATION. 



1768-1770. 



i 



LOCATION. 



m 

OON after the founding of the College, an important ques- 
tion arose in regard to the most eligible and desirable place 
for its permanent Location. This question divided for awhile the 
exertions of its friends, and created enemies, who, defeated in 
their plans, sought to establish a rival seminary of learning. 
The Rev. Morgan Edwards, in his brief historical sketch, written, 
probably, in the year 1 771, thus narrates the progress of events: — 

To the year 1769, this Seminary was for the most part friendless and moneyless, 
and therefore forlorn, in to much that a College edifice was hardly thought of. But 
Mr. Edwards making frequent remittances from England, some began to hope, and 
many to fear, that the Institution would come to something and stand. Then a build- 
ing and the place of it were talked of; which opened a new scene of troubles and 
contentions that had well nigh ruined all. Warren was at first agreed upon as a 
proper situation, where a small wing was to be erected in the spring of 1770, and 
about £800 raised toward effecting it. But soon afterwards some who were unwilling 
it should be there, and some who were unwillinu; it should be anywhere, did so far 
agree as to lay aside the said Location, and propose that the county which should raise 
most money should have the College. Then the four counties went to work with sub- 
scriptions. That of Providence bid high foi' it ; which made the county of Newport, 
which is jealous of Providence on account of trade, exert itself to the utmost. How- 
ever, Providence obtained it ; which so touched the jealousy and piqued the pride of 
the Islanders, as to make many of them enemies to the Institution itself The same 
is too much the case with the other disappointed counties. Nevertheless, by the 
adventurous and resolute spirit of the Browns, and some other men of Providence, 



176 BKOWN UNIVEESITY. 

the edifice was begun in May, 1770, and roofed by the fall of the year. The next 
summer the inside was so far finished as to be fit for the reception of scholars. 

The first mention of the Location of the College, to be found 
in the records of the Corporation, is as follows : — 

The Hon. Josias Lyndon, Esq., the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., the Hon. Samuel 
Ward, Esq. , the President, Nicholas Easton, Esq., Nicholas Brown, Esq., and the 
Eev. Russell Mason, were appointed a Committee to examine what place is most 
suitable to fix the College edifice upon, and to make report to the next annual meeting. 

This was on the first Wednesday in September, 1768. At 
the next meeting of the Corporation, which was held in Newport, 
it was ordered : — 

That the Secretary notify the members of the Corporation of their next annual 
meeting at Warren, six weeks successively previous to their meeting, by an advertise- 
ment in the Newport and Providence newspapers, and at which time it is proposed to 
take into consideration a proper place for the erecting a College edifice upon. 

At the annual meeting, which was, for the first time, held in 
Warren, on the 6th of September, 1769, the Committee on Loca- 
tion thus report : — 

W(!, the subscribers, being appointed to consider the most suitable place to erect 
the College edifice on, are of opinion that said edifice be placed in some part of the 
County of Bristol, and that a committee be appointed to point out such a place as 
shall be most convenient, and that may be had on the best terms. 

James Manning, Bussell Mason, 
Stephen Hopkins, Nicholas Brown. 
Josias Lyndon. 
Whereupon it was voted : — 

That the foregoing report be accepted. Resolved, That Sylvester Childs, Esq., Mr, 
John Brown, Capt. John Warren, and Mr. Nathan Miller, be a committee to purchase 
materials, agree for a suitable place to erect the edifice on, to take a deed of the same 
in behalf of the Corporation, and to carry said building into execution as soon as they 
can, and that any three of them be a quorum ; and that they be empowered to solicit 
and receive subscriptions. Resolved, That Archibald Campbell, Esq., be added to 
the committee for placing the College edifice. 



FINAL LOCATION. 177 

The church in Warren, anticipating, perhaps, the action of 
the Corporation, had already voted : — 

That the meeting house in this town be, and is for the use of the Corporation and 
President at Commencement times, and oftener, if wanted by either, only so as not to 
interfere with Divine worship, provided, that the College edifice be founded and built 
in the county of Bristol ; and that the parsonage house in said Warren be for the use 
of the President, so long as the President be our minister. 

Soon after this meeting, the following citation appeared in 
the Providence and Newport papers: — 

This is to notify the members of the Corporation of the College within this Colony, 
that application has been made, by the gentlemen of the county of Kent, setting forth, 
that they have opened a subscription for founding and endowing said College, on con- 
dition that the edifice be erected in the county of Kent; and desiring an opportunity 
of a.ssigning their reasons to the Corporation, for a reconsideration of the vote at their 
last meeting, for erecting the edifice in the County of Bristol. This is therefore to 
desire all the members of the said Corporation, to meet at the Court House, in Newport, 
on Tuesday, the 14th of November next, at 10 o'clock, a m., to hear such propositions 
as shall be laid bt fore them, relative to placing said edifice, and transacting any other 
necessary business : At which time and place, the gentlemen concerned in procuring 
subscriptions for the dififerent places, are desired, by themselves, or their committees, 
to appear, present their several subscriptions, and offer their reasons in favor of the 

respective places. -d i m r^ a . 

' ^ oy order, Thomas Eyres, Secretary. 

October 18, 1769. 

The dispute about the final Location of the College appears to 
have been confined thus far to the towns of Warren and East 
Greenwich. The first motion to have the College in Providence, 
came, so far as we can learn, from Mr, Moses Brown. In a 
letter to his brothers, dated Newport, October 23, 1769, he 
writes : — 

I had, yesterday, on the road, a full conversation with Mr. Sessions on affairs of 
the College. His objections are such to Warren, that he says he cannot encourage it 
if set there, but if it could be erected at Providence, he would give one hundred 
dollars, and engage to procure one or two scholars from the country ; and should 
there be a vacancy in the Corporation, he would, if desired again, accept a place 
23 



178 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

therein, and, as a member, do all he could for the College. And when we consider 
the number of advantages which Providence has over Warren, T am much inclined 
to think that it is yet within our reach. 

Governor Sessions, agreeably to Mr. Brown's suggestion, was 
made a Trustee of the College, in 1770. His views in general in 
regard to a suitable place for the location of a seminary of learn- 
ing, which we find preserved on file, are original, to say the least, 
as well as entertaining and instructive. They were prepared, it 
appears, with a view to the special meeting of the Corporation 
about to be held in Newport : — 

Since the late dispute with respect to the situation of a college, between the towns 
of Warren and Greenwich, people have naturally been engaged to take under consider- 
ation the several arguments that have been advanced ; that is to say, the advantages 
and disadvantages that may necessarily attend the institution in each of those places, 
or any other place within this Colony : — and I believe the more this matter is debated 
and considered, the more every unprejudiced person will be convinced that it ought 
not to be erected in either of those towns. In the erecting of a college the natural as 
well as artificial advantages of its situation should be the primary object, and by all 
means ought to determine the limits of its establishment. Now, if it can be made to 
appear that any town in the Colony is happily so situated by nature and improved by 
art, as to render a seminary for learning and the instruction of youth, of greater public 
benefit than any other town, then I believe it must be granted by every candid person, 
that in that same spot it ought to be erected. Most people are tinctured with a bias 
in favor of the towns where they live, but the impartial will make up judgments from 
matters of fact, which ought in every controversy to be of the greatest weight. At 
present I shall waive nominating any town calculated for the aforesaid use, but shall 
content myself by observing what accommodations may be necessary for the increase 
of a useful and learned seminary. 

In the first place it should be founded in a clear and wholesome air, not subject to 
epidemical disorders. 2d. It should be in a town where the principles of Christianity 
are openly professed and constantly practiced; where good orders are kept; where 
the morals of the inhabitants are not corrupted ; where virtue of every kind is encour- 
aged, and vice in every shape discountenanced ; where civil and religious liberty is 
encouraged and defended ; where the first day of the week is duly observed ; where 
there are assemblies of the different denominations of Christians, who regularly meet 
on that day, among whom the doctrines of Christianity and morality are intelligibly 



FINAL LOCATION. 179 

and faithfully taught, so that the young collegians may join with them in the several 
modes of worship in which they have been educated, and which may be consonant 
with their dictates of conscience. 

3d. It should be built in a town where the materials for building are good and 
cheap ; where the workmen are skillful and experienced, and their demands moderate ; 
where the necessaries of life, such as diet, fuel and clothing are good in kind, plentiful, 
and the price reasonable ; where the trade of the town is so extensive and the consump- 
tion so considerable, that almost any American or country produce imported by land 
or water may find a good market, so that the parents or fiiends of the students may 
support them at college in the least burthensorae manner. The town should be large 
and populous, so that upon commencements, or other public occasions, the large number 
of people that usually attend may be agreeably entertained and provided for. The 
conversation of the inhabitants should be civil, polite and courteous, eo as to induce 
gentlemen from all the American colonies at times to take up their residence in the 
town, where they might be enteitained, and gain an acquaintance with the seat of the 
muses, which would have a great tendency to promote its prosperity. The interior 
business of the town should consist of the various branches of trade and commerce, 
carried on by persons of every legal employment and character, so that the students 
may become thoroughly acquainted with men as well as books, that when their academi- 
cal studies are finished, they may not be finished blockheads. 

4th. In the infant state of a college, where there is but a small library, and probably 
no mathematical or philosophical apparatus, and no Professors in the learned sciences, 
it would certainly be the most desirable to have it fixed in a town where these disadvan- 
tages might in some measure be remedied. But can they be at Warren or Grreenwich V 
Have they a town library, as some other towns have ? Are there a number of gentlemen 
there who have large private libraries of the best authors, and who would readily lend 
them for the public gond, as there are in some of our towns ? Is there any philosophi- 
cal or mathematical apparatus, or are tliere any persons to show youth the use of 
the same, or to teach in any of the branches of these useful sciences ? Are any of the 
youth disposed to apply to the study of physic; — where are they likely to make the 
greatest proficiency — in a town where there is scarce a regular physician, and probably 
no anatomical or physical authors, or where they abound with all of them ? Are any 
of the students prosecuting the study of the law; — where can it be eifected with 
advantage, but in some towns where there are eminent lawyers, good libraries of law- 
books, and where the practice is constantly kept up in the various courts that are held 
in the shire town of a large county ? 

5th. Another necessary accommodation for a college is its being seated in a town 
where there is an open, convenient and extensive communication both by land and 
water. Most people would choose to put children to college where they could send to 



180 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

them, visit them, hear from them, and have them brought home with the most ease 
and the least expense. A college should not be erected where the communication is 
liable to be interrupted by a hard frost, or high and contrary winds, for that would not 
only prevent the mutual intercourse which ought to be kept up, but might greatly 
affect the institution, by cutting off all supplier; of fuel, provisions and other necessaries. 

We of the present day can hardly realize the force of Gov. 
Sessions's last argument against Warren, or East Greenwich. 
How a "hard frost," or "high and contrary winds," could inter- 
rupt communication with the Institution, and thus cut off "all 
supplies of fuel, provisions and other necessaries," can be seen 
only by the aid of an uncommonly vivid imagination. 

At the meeting of the Corporation held in Newport, November 
14, 1769, agreeably to the citation, the following members were 
present, viz. : — 

Trustees: — The Chancellor, (Stephen Hopkins,) Hon. Samuel 
Ward, Esq., Hon. Josias Lyndon, Esq., Ephraim Bow en, Esq., 
Rev. Gardner Thurston, Rev. Samuel Winsor, Job Bennet, Esq., 
Nicholas Brown, Esq., Nicholas Easton, Esq., Mr. Joseph Brown, 
Mr. Edward Thurston, Jr., Mr. Peleg Barker, Rev. Joshua Clarke, 
Rev. John Maxson, Hon. Joseph Wanton, Jr., Esq., Thomas Green, 
Esq., Joseph Russell, Esq., Sylvester Child, Esq., John Tillinghast, 
Esq., James Honeyman, Esq., Mr. John Warren, Mr. John Tanner, 
Mr. John G. Wanton. — 23. Fellows : — President Manning, Rev. 
Edward Upham, Mr. Jabez Bowen, Jr., Henry Ward, Esq., Dr. 
Thomas Eyres. — 5. 

The meeting was continued three days. Wednesday morning 
it was resolved : — 

To recede from the vote of the last meeting, to erect the College edifice in the 
County of Bristol. 

In the afternoon it was voted : — 
That the business of the Corporation be not postponed to a distant adjournment. 



FINAL LOCATION. 181 

Thursday morning it was resolved : — 

That the place for erecting the College edifice be now fixed. But that nevertheless 
the committee who shall be appointed to carry on the building do not proceed to procure 
any other materials for the same, excepting such as may be easily transported to any 
other place, should another hereafter be thought better, until further orders from this 
Corporation ; if such orders be given before the first day of January next. And 
that in case any subscription be raised in the County of Newport, or any other county, 
equal or superior to any now offered, or that shall then be offered, and the Corporation 
be called in consequence thereof, that then the vote for fixing the edifice shall not be 
esteemed binding ; but so that the Corporation may fix the edifice in another place in 
case they shall think proper. Voted, That the College edifice be at Providence. 
Voted, That the President, Job Bennet, Esq., Mr. John Brown, Mr. John Warren, 
and Mr. John Jenekes be a Committee to fix a suitable place for building the edifice. 

The following is the memorial from Providence, which was 
presented to the Corporation on the second day of the meeting : — 

To the Chancellor, President, and the other gentlemen of the Corporation for found- 
ing and endowing a College within the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations, convened at Newport, the 14th of November, 1769. 
The Memorial of John Cole, Moses Brown and Howard Smith, in behalf of the 
principal inhabitants of the town of Providence, represents, That it will be most for 
the advantage of the College of which you have the government, that it be erected in 
the town of Providence, for the reasons we shall now offer : — 

First, that it is absolutely necessary that there be money enough collected for erecting 
the College edifice and other buildings. Sensible of this, the inhabitants we repre- 
sent generously subscribed eight hundred pounds, lawful money, upon principles of 
regard and esteem for so useful and necessary an Institution ; but finding this sum, 
with the other subscriptions of the different towns in the Colony upon like disinterested 
principles, insufficient for the purpose, anxious that the Institution should be carried 
fully into execution, and finding the conditional subscription in other parts still insuffi- 
cient, they were induced to begin one among themselves, which is so far completed as to 
amount to six thousand two hundred and sixty dollars, which, with the former uncon- 
ditional subscription, is, as we apprehend, fully adequate for the purpose, with this 
single provision, that the College edifice be erected in the town of Providence, which 
will be a still further advantage to the Institution, as you must be sensible, from the 
following considerations : — 

The principal benefit to a College is the number of its students, which may 
rationally be supposed to be greater at Providence than at either of the other places 



182 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

proposed. To show this, we beg leave to observe, that the intention of the Charter was 
to found a College or University upon the most catholic and free principles, agreeable to 
that invaluable principle upon which this Colony was founded, and yet it was necessury 
to put the government principally into the hands of one society, at whose expense it 
would be chiefly supported. This being the case, makes it a matter of the greatest 
necessity that the edifice be erected where youth of all denominations of Christians 
may resort and attend the public worship of the Supreme Being in the way their 
parents or their own consciences may direct, and thereby free, catholic and open prin- 
ciples be carried into practice in this noble Institution to the latest posterity; which, we 
apprehend, cannot be if the edifice be erected where there are only one or two societies. 
Providence has this advantage so essentially necessary to the freedom of the Institution, 
there being places of public worship of all the various denominations of Christians in 
America, Hence people differing in persuasion from the President and principal 
part of the governors, will be induced greatly to prefer Providence to either of the 
other places proposed. Instances of this have already happened, as has been verbally 
communicated. 

The central situation of Providence, the free, cheap and easy communication 
between the northern colonies and the several towns in this and the neighboring gov- 
ernments, must be allowed to exceed either of the places proposed. To this may be 
added the greater plenty and cheapness of all kinds of provisions, fuel, clothing and 
cheapness of board. 

The ease and convenience with which parents may visit their children to see their 
proficiency, as well as in case of sickness or accidents, where the best physicians and 
remedies are at hand, must afford a peculiar satisfaction to all tender parents who 
regard the comfort and health of their children as well as their education. 

We have four public school houses, one of which*" is calculated to contain four mas- 
ters, including one for the languages, and one for the mathematics and other branches of 
learning preparatory to a liberal education ; — as also a public library,! which, in the 

* Commonly called the "Brick School House." It was erected in the year 1768, on 
Meeting street, where it now stands. At present it is occupied as a free school for colored 
children. In 1770, the upper part of it, which was owned by individuals, (the lower part 
only belonging to the town,) was occupied hy the College, upon its removal to Providence. 
Where the other three houses were, to which the memorialists refer, we are unable to 
determine. They were, without doubt, small buildings, and occupied, if at all, by private 
scholars, as public schools were not introduced in Providence until nearly half a century 
later. 

f " The Providence Library," says the late venerable John Howland, was first established 
in the year 1753, and placed in the Town House. On the night of December 24, 1758, the 
House, together with the greater portion of the Library, was destroyed by fire. In 1762, 
by great exertions on the part of several of the proprietors, it was reestablished, and books 



FINAL LOCATION. 183 

infant state of the Seminary, must be very useful to all the scholars ; — and particularly 
for those who may incline to the study of the law or physic, (either before the first or 
between that and their second degree,) we have not only large and useful libraries 
in both these faculties, but gentlemen of eminence who would be very useful in the 
prosecution of such studies. 

The further usefulness and prosperity of the College depending upon the preserva- 
tion of the freedom of the Institution, we are constrained from our respect to this 
distinguishing advantage over other institutions of like purpose, to mention this for 
their consideration, that the Charter leaves the tutors, Professors, and all other officers, 
(the President excepted,) at large to be of any denomination of Christians, no doubt 
with this good intent, that they should be of the various persuasions; — but can it be 
expected that gentlemen confirmed in their religious sentiments, and who value the 
attendance upon public worship in their own way, as their greatest privilege and bless- 
ing, will reside at the College where they cannot have this privilege, or that they will 
attend upon this duty under these circumstances on the same terms as they would if 
the College was placed where they might attend upon Divine worship agreeably to 
their own minds V We have two printing offices, which will much contribute to the 
emolument of the College, there being thus published a weekly collection of interesting 
intelligence, which not only tends to the enlargement of the minds of the youth, but 
which will give them early opportunities of displaying their genius upon any useful 
and speculative subjects, and which must excite in them an emulation to excel in their 
studies. 

All the materials necessary to erect the buildings we have as plenty and as cheap, at 
least, as any of the other places ; and we think we may claim more, better and cheaper 
workmen, and can, therefore, erect the edifice sooner, and with more convenience than 
it can be done in either of the other places proposed. 

We conclude by observing, that it is necessary in the execution of all matters of a 
public nature, that the undertakers have a zeal for promoting it. This qualification, so 
requisite for the perfecting of the College institution, we are conscious we have, as has 
been made manifest by the people of Providence from the very beginning to this time, 
not only by their liberal subscriptions, amounting to more than all the money that has 
been subscribed within the Colony, but, every other mark of respect for the Institution 
and the favorers of it. 

for it were imported from London. These, in 1764, were placed in tlie east end of the New 
Court House. In 1770, the Library Company oflFered the use of the books to the officers 
and students of the College, " until a Library could be procured for that respectable 
establishment. ' ' 



184 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

From all which we are confident it must be the opinion of the Corporation, that it 
will be most for the benefit of the College to be placed in the town of Providence, and 
have, therefore, full assurance that you will order it to be erected there accordingly. 
We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants, 

John Cole, 
Moses Brown, 
Newport, November 15th, 1769. Haywakd Smith. 

The argument of the memorialists based upon the " two 
printing offices," has at least the merit of novelty. Whether the 
"early opportunities of displaying their genius" thus afforded 
the students, would be recommended by the modern Professor of 
Rhetoric, or satisfactory to the learned readers of the Providence 
Journal, we will not attempt to say. John Milton's "Speech for 
the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing" may possibly have had 
something to do with the suggestion of this argument. 

From the foregoing it appears that the inhabitants of Provi- 
dence had subscribed for the College eight hundred pounds, law- 
ful money, equal to two thousand six hundred and sixty-six dollars 
and sixty-seven cents ; and in addition, six thousand two hundred 
and sixty dollars, on condition that the Institution should be 
located in their town. Their main reliance, however, it is evident 
was not their subscriptions, but their disinterested zeal, and the 
entire religious freedom which prevailed among them, so entirely 
in harmony with the spirit of the College Charter, and in accord- 
ance with the principles upon which the Colony had been found- 
ed. Providence contained at this time about four thousand 
inhabitants, and five hundred families. The religious complex- 
ion of these families, Dr. Stiles estimated to be as follows : " One 
hundred families real Baptists; one hundred and forty political 
Bapists and Nothingarians ; one hundred and forty of Mr. Snow's 
congregation, two-thirds Baptists, one-third Presbyterians; sixty 
PedobaptistCongregationalists; forty Episcopalians ; twenty fami- 
lies Quakers, a few Sandemanians, and about twenty or forty 



FINAL LOCATION. 185 

persons Deists." Mr. Cole, it may be added, whose name appears 
at the head of the committee from Providence, was at this time 
Postmaster of the town, and a member of the General Assembly. 
The following memorial from East Greenwich, appears to have 
been presented to the Corporation on the last day of the meeting : — 

To the Honorable Members of the Corporation of the College, convened at Newport 

ye 16th day of November, 1769. 

Your memoiialists beg leave to represent that they conceive that the County of 
Kent is the most proper place for erecting said College edifice, for the following 
reasons : — 

First : It is situated nearly in the centre of the Colony. This will more effectually 
accommodate each respective County than any other place that can be fixed upon, and 
therefore if the Corporation should ever petition for the aid and assistance of govern- 
ment, it is moie probable they will unite in forwarding and promoting such grants. 

Secondly : Tho local subscriptions of Kent united with the several general sub- 
scriptions, are sufiicient to build and complete said College, and those temporary 
subscriptions will be found altogether insuflScient for keeping up and perpetuating the 
Institutional expenses. It is therefore necessary to place it where the government will 
be most likely to take it under their consideration and immediate protection, that 
being, as we think, very justly urged by certain gentlemen before the Greneral Assem- 
bly to be the most probable means of enlarging the donations fi'om abroad. These 
advantages considered together, which will result to the Institution by its being fixed at 
Kent, we trust will be thought by the Corporation a matter of more consequence than 
large .sums raised by local subscriptions. 

Thirdly : As Institutions of this kind have been found by experience not to 
prosper in popular towns, we think the town of Providence too large now in its pres- 
ent condition ; as it is a place well calculated for trade, it is altogether reasonable from 
thence to conclude that the growth and enlargement of it in a very few years will 
render it quite unsuitable for seminaries of learning to be placed in. The town of 
East Greenwich, on the contrary, is well situated as to pleasantness, surrounded with a 
large country abounding with every necessary supply to render the scholars comforta- 
ble, the town being large enough to accommodate the students efiectually, and situated 
upon the post road, so that an easy correspondence might be had with any part of the 
continent, — there being likewise a post office in the town, and every other advantage 
as to communication with other governments that Providence can urge. 

Furthermore, as it hath been strongly argued, this Institution is founded upon the 
most catholic plan, therefore they say they have singular advantages over Kent as to 
24 



186 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

the accommodations of the different religious denominations. In answer to this we 
can say, in behalf of Kent, we have a Friends and a Baptist meeting house nearly 
situated to the place where the College is proposed to be set ; also a meeting house of 
the Separates within three miles of East Greenwich , upon a good road, free from 
ferries ; and it is highly probable, if the College is fixed at Kent, there will be a 
Church and Presbyterian meeting house built soon. 

William Gtrkene, 

Nathanael Gtreene, Jr. 

Preserved Pearce, 

Charles Hold en, Jr., 



> Committee. 



It will be observed that while Gov. Sessions urged that the 
Institution should be located in a large town, where the necessa- 
ries of life could be readily obtained, where trade was extensive, 
and where the students could have facilities for studying medi- 
cine and law, which reasons were further urged by the memorial- 
ists from Providence, who claimed all these advantages for the 
College, and, in addition, four school houses, a public library, 
and the two printing offices to which we have already referred, 
the memorialists from East Greenwich contended that Provi- 
dence was too large a town for an institution of learning. Chief 
Justice Greene, whose name appears at the head of the commit- 
tee, was, in 1778, elected Governor of Rhode Island, which office 
he held eight years. He was elected a Trustee of the College 
in 1785, as the successor of Gov. Hopkins, deceased. It seems 
hardly necessary to add that the second name upon the list is 
that of one who afterwards became the distinguished Major- 
General in the army of the Revolution, and who was now about 
to take his first lessons in public life as a member of the General 
Assembly from Coventry. Mr. Pierce, or Major Pierce, as he was- 
called, was at this time a member of the Assembly from East 
Greenwich, while Mr. Holden, a few years later, represented the 
town of Warwick. 

The increasing interest taken in the Location of the College 
by the various contending parties, and the general views and 



FINAL LOCATION. 187 

considerations which influenced their actions, may be readily 
inferred from a communication which appeared in the Newport 
Mercury of November 20, 1769. The writer presents his argu- 
ments with great force and clearness : — 

I am informed, that the Corporation of the College, at their meeting here this 
week, came to a resolution, that six weeks should be allowed the inhabitants of the 
County of Newport to raise a subscription, and put in their claim for building it in 
this (Jounty. 

The great benefits of a liberal education are so well known and allowed, that it is 
not necessary to enlarge upon this head ; and I shall only mention, very briefly, some 
of the advantages which will accrue to this Institution, and to this town, from fixing 
the College here. 

From the smallness of the College funds, it is certain that its principal and surest 
support must arise from the number of students ; and whoever considers the number 
of inhabitants in Newport, the reputation of the island for health and pleasantness, 
the easy communication we have with all parts of this government, and with the west- 
ern and southern colonies, and the cheapness with which pupils may be boarded, must 
confe;-:s that no place in this Colony is so proper to fix the College in, nor so likely to 
aiford a sufficient number of students, as this town of Newport. 

Besides, a considerable advantage may be derived to the Professors and students 
from the library* in this town. A library calculated for men of learning, consisting 
of a great number of well chosen books, upon all arts and sciences, as well as a very 
great number in the learned languages ; the use of which may be allowed, the pupils, 
under the discreet care of the President and tutors. This, in the infant state of the 
College, must be allowed to have great weight. 

The advantages to this town and. county from fixing the College here would be 
many. I have only time and room to mention two. 

* The Eedwood Library at this time was considered one of the largest and hest of the 
public libraries in America, containing about fifteen hundred volumes of standard books. 
Of these the classical and theological books were the most valuable. The Eev. Dr. Stiles, 
who officiated as Librarian during the greater portion of his twenty years residence in New- 
port, is said to have derived largely from this collection his great and varied stores of learn- 
ing. The Library owes its origin to a literary and philosophical society established in 1730, 
of which Bishop Berkeley was a prominent and active member. It was incorporated in 
1747, receiving its name from Abraham Eedwood, Esq., its most liberal benefactor. The 
building, a beautiful specimen of the Doric order, was completed in 1750. It has recently 
been greatly enlarged and improved. The Library now contains upwards of twelve thou- 
sand volumes, besides many choice pictures and works of art. 



188 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

Supposing this College to flourisli equally with those in Cambridge and New 
Haven, (which is highly probable,) it is evident, that the interest of the town and 
county would be greatly promoted by boarding and supplying so many persons coming 
from abroad, and spending their money among us ; and by the employment they would 
necessarily give to the tradesmen and artificers. 

But this, though very great, is by no means equal to the advantage the inhabitants 
of this town would receive from the opportunity of bringing up their children in the 
useful arts, with very little expense. For instance, the people in this town might 
board their sons at home, and bring them up at College, with the small additional 
expense of twelve dollars a year, and less than half so much for books and necessary 
instruments. And after they had finished their education, which might be at sixteen, 
seventeen, or eighteen years of age, according to their forwardness, they would then 
not only be qualified for any of the learned professions, but if the inclination of their 
parents or their own genius should lead them, they would be much better qualified for 
the compting-house, the shop, the sea, or for any trade ; and in ease of misfortunes, 
which might render them incapable of bodily labor, they would find, in their learning, 
resources to support themselves reputably. 

Every thinking man will readily suggest to himself other advantages, which can- 
not be added here. And, as a friend to learning, to the Institution, and to this town, 
I earnestly recommend the consideration of this matter to the inhabitants ; and doubt 
not but a regard to their own interest, and the interest of their posterity, will induce 
them to exert their ancient spirit, and raise such a subscription as will be sufficient to 
establish the College here. 

I am. Sir, your constant reader and humble servant, a. b. 

In the Diary of Dr. Stiles, under the date of January 3, 1770, 
about six weeks after the publication of the foregoing communi- 
cation, is an important entry pertaining to this subject : — 

Dr. Eyres visited me this morning to discourse about the place of the Baptist 
College. He tells me that Providence has subscribed £3,090, lawful money; of 
which about £2,200 is truly conditioned that the College edifice be erected there ; 
but, of the £800 they had before subscribed unconditionally, they had the subscrip- 
tion papers for £300 in their own hands, and refused to deliver them, — holding in 
this manner about £500 conditioned. Dr. Eyres said that the Newport subscription 
was about $9000, (£2700,) but said they did not choose to mention the amount 
exactly, nor how much conditionally. The case is this : Mr. Redwood and some 
others have said they would give largely, in case it was here ; but that Providence, by 
artifice and stratagem, would eventually get it there ; and yet, would not subscribe, 



FINAL LOCATION. 189 

but will undoubtedly give liberally. So there is a real uncertainty. They are endeav- 
oring to get a meeting of the Corporation, but Providence opposes it. Mr. Manning, 
the President, is for Providence. 

The main contest from this time onward, appears to have been 
between Providence and Newport. The following is the preamble 
to the subscription book in the latter place, which we copy from 
an original paper. Among the largest subscribers was Abraham 
Redwood, Esq., founder of the "Redwood Library." He after- 
wards subscribed, says the Providence Gazette, five hundred 
pounds sterling towards a second college or university, which it 
was proposed to erect in Newport : — 

Whereas the Governor of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations, in New England in America, by an act passed at their session in Febru- 
ary, 1764, incorporated certain persons, therein mentioned, into a body politic, and 
granted them full power, and ample authority, to found and endow a College or Univer- 
sity in said Colony : And whereas a sufficient number of the peisons so appointed 
have qualified themselves agreeable to said act ; and are taking the most probable 
measures for forming so useful and honorable an Institution, which will necessarily be 
attended with considerable expense : We, therefore, the subscribers, sensible that 
nothing hath a greater tendency to adorn human nature, and to promote the true 
interest and happiness of mankind, than useful literature, and that the fixing the Col- 
lege in the town of Newport will be attended with the greatest advantages to the said 
Institution, do, in consideration thereof, each one for himself, promise and engage to 
give, and accordingly to pay unto Job Bennet, Esq., treasurer of the said Corporation, 
or his successor in said office, or order, the several sums affixed to our names, respect- 
ively, to be applied primarily to the building a suitable College edifice, and the surplus 
in such a manner as the said Corporation shall think most conducive to answer the ends 
of their Institution. 

Provided, nevertheless, and this subscription is made upon express condition, that 
the College edifice be erected in the said town of Newport ; otherwise the same shall 
be void. 

The preamble to the Providence subscription book, was the 
same, except the paragraph at the close, which reads thus: — 

Fart of the following subscriptions to the amount of eight hundred pounds lawful 
money, is absolute let the College be built anywhere in the Colony ; the remaining 
sum is on condition that the College edifice be erected in the town of Providence. 



190 BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 

The progress of this important contest, which waxed warmer 
and warmer till its close, may best be learned from some docu- 
ments on file, and which we present in the order of date. The 
first is a letter to Mr. Moses Brown, from one of the Judges in the 
County of Kent, declaring his preference for Providence over New- 
port. The writer signs himself, "A man who raised just 2604 pounds 
of tobacco." We thus learn that the staple product of Virginia 
was cultivated quite extensively in Ehode Island at this period : — 

Warwick, December 1st, 1769. 
Sir : — We are informed that the County of Newport are raising money by sub- 
scription, in order to over-bid you and place the College at Newport. If that should 
be really the case, I believe there may be one thousand dollars raised in the town of 
Warwick, if the old town at the east end can be properly animated, which I think is 
not hard for Providence to do. The reasons that are given at the west part of the town 
are too many to enumerate. But this is one that governs me : — Newport and Kings 
Counties admit the necessity of a college, and appear almost agreed that our County is 
the most suitable place in the Colony, (at least the major part by far say it is their 
opinion) ; — Now, if it is necessary to build a college, and our County is the most 
proper place, if the County of Newport and Kings County would subscribe no more 
than their real proportion would be to build such an edifice in the Colony, upon con- 
dition it was placed in the County of Kent, the spot where they say it ought to be 
built ; — if they would do that, it is in their power to give it to us. But if they refuse 
to do that, they say themselves it is right and put us out of the question, I am sure 
Warwick in geneial will do their endeavors to promote Providence before Newport, 
and so will East Greenwich, save them that always were bitter against jou. 

Your humble servant, etc. 

A communication, signed by Gov. Hopkins and the Browns, 
is addressed to the Town Councils of Glocester and Scituate, 
urging their cooperation in securing for Providence the Location 
of the College, on the ground that it would be the means of 
bringing " great quantities of money into the place," and thus of 
increasing the value of all estates in the country for which the 
town was a market. How much the vast increase of wealth and 
influence in Providence and the towns adjoining, during the 



FINAL LOCATION. 191 

century past, may be owing to the College, we leave for our 
readers to decide : — 

Providence, December 8th, 1769. 

GrENTLEMEN : — We make no doubt but you must have heard before now that a 
college is about to be built somewhere in this Colony, and that a vote hath been 
obtained that it shall be erected in the town of Providence, on condition that there be 
more money subscribed toward building it in this County than in the County of New- 
port, on the first day of January next ; but if that County's subscription be then 
highest, the matter is to be reconsidered, and the College will without any question be 
removed thither. When we consider that the building the College here will be a 
means of bringing great quantities of money into the place, and thereby of greatly 
increasing the markets for all kinds of the country's produce ; and, consequently, of 
increasing the value of all estates to which this town is a market ; and also that it will 
much prompte the weight and influence of this n6rthern part of the Colony in the 
scale of government in all times to come, we think every man that hath an estate in 
this County who duly weighs these advantages, with many others that will naturally 
occur to his mind, must, for the bettering of his own private interest, as well as for the 
public good, become a contributor to the College here, rather than it should be 
removed from hence. 

The inhabiiants of this town, fully sensible of these advantages, have subscribed 
very freely, and indeed very largely on condition the College be erected here, as you 
will see by the enclosed lists ; and we have taken the freedom to address ourselves to 
you, hoping you will exert yourselves in this interesting aiFair as well by your own. 
benefactions as by procuring subscriptions among your neighbors, and be good enough 
to let some one of us know before the first of January what is done. 

We are the more zealous in this matter as we have certain intelligence that the 
people in Newport, who are become sensible of the importance of this matter, are 
very diligently using every method in their power to carry the prize from us, and as 
the few remaining days of this month is the whole time in which we can work to any 
purpose, we hope none will slumber or sleep. We think ourselves in this matter 
wholly engaged for the public good ; and therefore hope to be borne with when we beg 
of you and all our neighbors, to seriously consult their own interest and pursue it with 
unremitted zeal. 

We are, very respectfully, your assured friends, 

Stephen Hopkins, 
Nicholas Brown & Co. 

N. B. Any materials useful about the building will be received on account of 
the subscription. 



192 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

From a letter addressed by Messrs. Nicholas, John and Moses 
Brown, to their brother Joseph, then in Newport, it appears that 
the Providence subscriptions at the close of the year 1769, had 
reached the sum of £3,424, or $11,413.33. At the last meeting 
of the Corporation, they had voted, with a proviso, to fix the Col- 
lege at Providence ; and a part of the manceuvering on the part 
of the worthy President and his zealous coadjutors, the Browns, 
Hopkins, Jenckes, etc., seems to have been to prevent another 
meeting. An allusion in the letter to Morgan Edwards, shows 
that he was kept duly informed of the progress of events: — 

Providence, December 30tb, 1769. 
Brother Joseph: — This evening we compared our subscriptions, and found the 
whole, including unconditional subscriptions and Whipple's land, three thousand four 
hundred and twenty-four pounds lawful money, reckoning the land as we wrote, viz., 
four dollars; but Mr. Jenckes, upon recollection of the goodness of the land, says it 
could not be bought for that, it being a very good tract ; from what we otherwise hear, 
it may be worth six dollars, but five at least, which will make forty-three dollars and 
fourteen cents more. This sum of three thousand four hundred and twenty-four 
pounds, is one-hundred and sixty more than when you went away. We hope you will 
be able to stop the meeting being called, as it will put us to much trouble in getting 
farther subscriptions, which to raise very considerable will be difficult. However, you 
may, if you can stop the meeting there, add fifty pounds lawful money, which our 
M. B. will see paid, but make no use of this unless you find it absolutely necessary, 
as he proposes to make use of it on the spot where to set the edifice, if it comes here, 
as it certainly will be necessary then. If the calling of the meeting, etc., be given 
up, perhaps it may not be best for the committee to come up till the beginning of next 
week, or until we get the plan secured, but this is a matter submitted to you. Please 
inquire whether there is any vessel in from Philadelphia, to know about the cedar, and 
whether a vessel be going to York through which I may convey my packet to Mr. 
Edwards, with the intelligence about the College. If you have any time, inquire how 

the H matter stands, etc., etc. Yours, 

Nicholas Brown & Co. 
Our compliments, etc , to Col. Wanton. 

As an illustration of the zeal and energy of the Providence 
people, we copy from the Gazette: — 



FINAL LOCATION. 193 

Whereas, it is now determined that the College about to be built in this Colony 
shall be erected in the town of Providence; — and as many gentlemen have been so 
generous to this very useful Institution as to become benefactors to it, and have sub- 
scribed considerable sums for carrying it on ; — therefore we. in behalf of the Committee 
for providing materials and overseeing the work, hereby give public notice to all who 
are already subscribers, and to those whose beneficent minds may incline them to 
become such, to give us, as soon as they possibly can, as the season is far advanced, an 
account of such materials fit for the building as they would choose to furnish in lieu of 
their subscriptions ; all which will be very gratefully received by their very humble 
servan s, Stephen Hopkins, 

Providence, January 12, 1770. 

The friends of the College, in Newport, now redoubled their 
exertions, and soon raised by subscription a sum larger than had 
been raised in Providence. Notwithstanding the exertions of the 
Browns to "stop the meeting," a citation for the Corporation to 
assemble at Warren, was published in the papers of the day : — 

Whereas, the County of Newport hath raised a larger sum than any that hath yet 
been offered to the Corporation of the College in this Colony, to be paid to the Treas- 
urer upon condition that the College edifice be erected in the town of Newport : This 
is therefore to notify members of the said Corporation to meet together at Warren, on 
Wednesday, the 7th day of February next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, to take into 
consideration any proposals that may be made for placing the College edifice, and to 
transact any other necessary business. At which time and place, the persons concerned 
in procuring subscriptions are desired to attend, by themselves or their committees. 

Joshua Babcock, ^ 
Thomas Eyres, ^Fellows. 
Henry Ward, j 

On the Monday previous to the final meeting of the Corpora- 
tion, on this exciting question of Location, the following printed 
handbill was circulated all over the town : — 

Providence, Monday, February 5, 1770. 

The inhabitants of this town and County are desired to meet at the Court House, 
this afternoon, at two o'clock, to hear and consider of some effectual plan for estab- 
lishing the College here. 

As this is a matter of the greatest consequence, and the Corporation is to meet on 

Wednesday next, a general attendance is earnestly requested. 
25 



194 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

In accordance with this call, a large number of the inhabi- 
tants assembled at the place designated, and the Hon. Stephen 
Hopkins, Esq., was chosen Moderator. John Cole and Moses 
Brown were continued a committee to lay the subscriptions 
before the Corporation, and the following gentlemen were added 
thereto, viz. : Hon. Darius Sessions, John Andrews, Joseph Nash, 
David Harris, Daniel Tillinghast, John Jenckes, Amos Atwell, 
Joseph Bucklin, Jeremiah Whipple, Esq., and Knight Dexter. 

The following spirited letter from President Manning, address- 
ed to "Mr. Nicholas Brown, in Providence," shows that he was a 
skillful tactician, and that he used his great influence in favor of 
Providence. It gives an animated view of the nature of the 
contest, and of the earnest determination of the parties at issue: — 

Sir : — The time is now at the doors when it will be determined whether Providence 
or Newport shall have the College ; and as I think that the former is the fittest place 
for it, I would give you a gentle hint, that you may be prepared in the best manner to 
stand your ground. I expect Newport will exceed you in the largeness of their sub- 
scriptions, for they gave bonds last week for throe thousand two hundred pounds, and 
had not rendered the subscriptions from Block Island, South County, nor from the 
eastern shore, in all which places there was money subscribed for Newport. Neither 
can I tell whether the Warren subscriptions were contained in that bond. Besides, 
they were still subscribing in Newport. Redwood has at last subscribed his five hun- 
dred pounds sterling, etc. Now, as I aiu a friend to the College, and think your place 
the best for its settlement, I would advise you to get every farthing you can subscribed. 
But if, when you come to compare notes, you should fall behind them, they will make 
a great noise if you take in your uncondititional subscriptions and plead your agree- 
ments for materials, etc., etc. 

Now, as I think you have the good of the College at heart more than they, it will 
stand you in hand to demonstrate this in the clearest light ; and this you can do by 
proffering to build the College yourselves, without even taking their unconditional 
subscriptions in Newport. Say nothing about the President's h#se ; but consult how 
large a house you can build, and finish two stories with your own money, in as short a 
time as you possibly can accomplish it, and engage to finish the rest as fast as wanted ; 
for here you know you may have your own time, since boarding can always be had in 
town, and many will always choose to board there. So that the President can help you 
here to sufficient time to pick up money from other parts, or even enable you to finish the 



FINAL LOCATION. 195 

other rooms "with the rent of those that are finished. Two advantages will result from 
such a proposal. First, you will throw your unconditional subscription out of their 
light, and give it its full weight in favor of Providence. Secondly, you can here make 
all the advantage to yourselves, from lying handy to the materials ; the whole weight 
of this will be thrown directly into your scale, and you can promise just as much more 
than they can, as the edifice can be erected cheaper with you than them, and as you 
will prosecute it with more spirit and do the bargaining and work with less expense. 
Here, too, you will have the advantage of them, as you have made out bills of every- 
thing, and bespoke the materials and workmen, and can push it immediately into exe- 
cution. YoLi might reason a month on these advantages and not make some dull souls 
see the force of it, so well as you can demonstrate it in this way in ten minutes. And 
I think you will be equally as safe in this way as in giving bonds, and it must weigh 
much with the gentlemen who have the welfare of the College at heart. Besides, you 
will take them here at unawares. Give up the other subscriptions in the Colony to 
the Corporation, and let them dispose of them as they think best, and it will be a 
wonder if they don't find out by next May session, that there will be necessity of a 
house for the President, and very probably will lay it out that way. If you fall in 
with this proposal, it will be proper for four, five or six of you to oblige yourselves to 
the performance under a proper penalty What I have heretofore said is to secure you 
against the first onset ; but if you should be driven from your post, the next thing is 
to secure your retreat. If, therefore, your vote should be receded fioai, your hopes 
must lie in dividing the members between the four places ; for it would be imprudent 
to fight Newport singly. It is possible you may have address enough to get Provi- 
dence and Greenwich highest here, for the Newport members who favor you at heart, 
may vote for Warren and Kent without having their hopes torn down ; and if the 
contest should finally fall between you and Kent, you may guess how it would termi- 
nate by the last meeting ; and in this way I think all your members in Newport who 
favor Piovidence, may vote for it without incurring any damage; — I mean at your 
final issue. I think you could beat Kent with greater ease than Warren or Newport ; 
but of this you are the best judge, being an experienced soldier. 

There will many attend the meeting from Newport, for their spirits are very high 
in the cause. Proposals, too, will doubtless be made for an accommodation half way. 
But how great a sum will be offered for this is uncertain as yet. But should I persist 
in spilling ink and spoiling paper longer you may be weary of reading my jargon, and 
be solicitous to know my name, which at present I choose not to reveal. But am, to 

all intents. 

Your Friend, if not Humble Servant. 

N. B. You will excuse the omission of date, as it is quite unnecessary. 



196 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

The great and final meeting of the Corporation on the question 
of Location, was held in the Baptist Meeting House, in Warren, on 
the 7th of February, 1770. Thirty-five members were present, 
as follows: — 

Fellows: — The President, Rev. Edward Upham, Rev. Samuel 
Stillman, Thomas Eyres, Joshua Babcock, Henry Ward, and Jabez 
Bowen, Jr. — 7. Trustees: — The Chancellor, (Hon. Stephen Hop- 
kins,) Hon. Samuel Ward, Hon. Josias Lyndon, Hon. Joseph Wan- 
ton, Jr., Rev. Russell Mason, Rev. Gardner Thurston, Rev. Samuel 
Winsor, Rev. Isaac Backus, Rev. John Maxson, Nicholas Brown, 
Joseph Brown, William Brown, Joseph Russell, George Hazard, 
Peleg Barker, John Warren, Nathan Spear, Nicholas Cooke, Syl- 
vester Child, John Tanner, Thomas Greene, Ephraim Bowen, 
Edward Thurston, Jr., John G. Wanton, Daniel Jenckes, Job Ben- 
net, James Helme, and Darius Sessions. — 28, 

Says Manning, in a letter to his friend, Hezekiah Smith : — 

The dispute lasted from Wednesday last, ten o'clock a. m., until the same hour on 
Thursday, p. M. The matter was debated with great spirit, and before a crowded 
audience. The vote was put, Recede or Not. It went Not, by twenty-one against 
fourteen. You asked me in your last whether it bad not raised a party in the govern- 
ment. I answer, no ; but it has warmed up the old one something considerable. I 
was greatly censured by people in Newport, for not joining to call a meeting about the 
1st of January, and a great noise was made because I would not act contrary to an 
express vote of the Corporation, at the meeting on the 10th of November. But at 
our last meeting, the house gave me liberty to attempt a vindication of my conduct, 
and after hearing me through the matter, they came to a v^ote, nemine contradicente, 
that they saw no reason why I should be blamed in this matter, and that they approved 
of my conduct. In the course of the debates there was sometimes undue warmth, but, 
upon the whole, it subsided, and all parties seemed much more unanimous than I 
expected, in after business. Many of the gentlemen of Newport said they had had a 
fair hearing, and had lost it ; but their friendship to the College remained, and they 
would keep their places, pay their money, and forward to their utmost the design. 
*#*#*=* Messrs. Stillman and Spear were up from Boston, and Backus from 
Middleborough. It is said that the eight ministers at the Corporation meeting, were 
all for Providence. This I shall not assert, however. But I believe the Baptist 
Society in general, are not dissatisfied at the determination. 



FINAL LOCATION. 197 

Returning now to the meeting — The following is the Memo- 
rial presented from East Greenwich: — 

To the Honorable, the Board of Trustees and Fellows of Rhode Island College, 
present at Warren, this 7th day of February, A. D., 1770 : — 
We, the subscribers, being appointed a committee, by a large number of the 
inhabitants of the County of Kent, who were latterly concerned in a local subscription 
relative to erecting the College edifice, to wait upon this Honorable Board, and make 
such representations as comport with the real sentiments of our snid constituents, do 
beg liberty humbly to revive our claim to the College, by continuing said subscription. 
For that, whereas, it yet remaineth a matter of uncertainty in what County the College 
edifice will be erected, and as the present contest subsisteth between the respectable 
Counties of Newport and Providence, and each of those Counties being actuated by a 
laudable design of promoting the future interest and prosperity of the Institution, we 
humbly conceive they will both, upon mature deliberation, resign their claims, and 
concede that it shall be placed in some other part of the Colony. The reasons which 
induced us to form this conclusion are many, some of which, with the greatest defer- 
ence, we shall take the freedom to offer. We are fully convinced that no seat of 
literature in America, has ever arrived to any considerable degree of eminence and 
utility, but what hath received large donations from Great Britain. The institution 
of science, therefore, which fails of that source, must remain in infancy and obscurity. 
But, if the very creators of such an Institution, cease to patronize and protect it, surely 
strangers will have no powerful motive left to encourage or assist it ; consequently it 
must be placed in such a part of that Colony which gave it being, as best to commode 
the whole ; otherwise, the greater part being disappointed, will abandon it to its own 
impotence. But, were a College to be erected in Newport or Providence, it must fail 
of countenance from the Colony, both being situated so far from its centre. 

It is likewise well known that Newport and Providence have ever been the capital 
sources of party in this Colony ; and consequently the Institution must annually be 
subject to the attacks of one party or the other if placed in either, and so, liable to 
continual vicissitude, if not demolition itself; to avoid which, the wisdom and prudence 
of Newport and Providence will both be exerted. Should these contending parties 
mutually resign it to another place, it will be sufficiently removed fiom any domestic 
obstructions of this sort; and both being sincere friends to the Institution, they have 
it in their power, as both would be happily agreed in the same thing, by their concurrent 
influence to cause it to enjoy the favorable smiles of this Colony, and therefore of 
Great Britain, if by any means Great Britain would be excited to shelter and defend 
it. By this method, it will undoubtedly arrive to such a degree of superior grandeur 



198 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

as to command veneration and esteem from all its neighbors; — a consideration of the 
last importance. It is also a general maxim and a very true one, that such is the 
fluctuating disposition of youth, that a considerable degree of retirement is very requi- 
site in order to acquire any great proficiency in literary pursuits. The subjects of 
science are so numerous, the prospects so extensive and the researches so deep, that a 
young mind entangled by the more captivating allurements of life, will never soar to 
those sublime heights, as to answer the noble ends of a college education. But is there 
sufficient retirement in Newport or Providence ? With the greatest modesty it may be 
asserted, that every populous town affords all those opportunities for avocation and 
amusement, that a luxuriant imagination can aspire after. Moreover, as the enlarge- 
ment of useful knowledge and promotion of religion are the principal ends for which 
all seats of learning ought to be established ; so that place in a Colony which is best 
situated for these purposes, is most eligible to be fixed upon; but that convenient place 
which is nearest the centre of the Colony is best adapted therefor, from whence its 
salutary influences may equally be extended to every part. 

Money, after all, must be had, and we doubt not (should we be indulged with an 
opportunity of dispersing our subscriptions through the whole Colony) but we could 
procure a sum almost equal (if not superior) to any that has been already presented ; 
for the encouragements we have received from every County in this Colony, (Bristol 
only excepted,) are very promising. Our own subscribers are reanimated with a desire 
to promote the good of the Institution, even to such a degree that many of them would 
largely add to their subscriptions. Many there are likewise in the same County that 
have not yet subscribed, who express their warmest desires to become subscribers, 
should Kent ever have another opportunity to exert its generosity. 

Upon the whole, Sirs, the encouragement and assurance we had afforded us by 
some of the principal gentlemen in Providence, joined by many in Newport, were 
originally the moving cause that excited us to propagate a local subscription. Had we 
been in the least apprised that either Newport or Providence would ever lay a claim, 
we should have immediately desisted from such an undertaking. And for the same 
reason we make not the least pretension, while the contest remains between them ; but 
should they now relinquish their claims, we cordially hope and fully expect that the 
same benevolence that first befriended us will again be exerted, and by that means 
that you, gentlemen, will grant us indulgence ; in the mean time, reserving to our- 
selves the advantage of all further necessary suggestions. 

James M. Varnum, 
Nathanael Greene, Jr., 
Charles Holden, Jr., 
Adam Maxwell. 



FINAL LOCATION. 199 

In the specious reasoning and well expressed language of the 
foregoing memorial, we recognize the skillful pen of him whose 
name appears at the head of the signatures, and who had but 
recently graduated at the Institution. He afterwards established 
himself in East Greenwich, as a lawyer, where lie rapidly rose to 
distinction in his profession, his extraordinary talents procuring 
for him an extensive practice. 

The Providence memorial is without signatures. It appears to 
be mainly a complaint against Newport: — 

To tbe Chancellor, President, and other gentlemen of the Corporation, for founding and 

endowing a College within the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 

convened at Warren, the 7th of February, 1770. 

The Memorial of the subscribers in behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Provi- 
dence, etc., represent: — 

That, notwithstanding the great majority of voices at the last meeting for erecting 
the College edifice in Providence, we were unexpectedly surprised with an advertise- 
ment in the Newport JMercury of the 15th ult., which came to hand, not till the 23d, 
for calling your present ; and particularly at the assertion therein that the County of 
Newport hath raised a larger sum than any that hath yet been offered to the Corpora- 
tion of the College. The facts, (though certified, by three of the respectable branch of 
the Fellows,) we apprehend, and think we can clearly show, were not at that time so, — as 
before that date, the subscription for Providence amounted to three thousand and ninety 
pounds, foi' which a bond was duly sealed and executed, payable to the Corporation 
upon express condition that the edifice be erected in the town of Providence. Besides, 
there was a deed of land amounting to one hundied and seventy-one pounds more, 
made to the Corporation on the like conditions, and delivered into the Treasurer's 
hands Whereas, the subscription for Newport at that time was not even pretended to 
contain a sura exceeding two thousand six hundred pounds, including Mr. Redwood's 

generous donation of five hundred pounds sterling, and Mr. Easton's of the 

acres of land, valued at pounds, both which, as we are well advised, were not 

executed until long since. 

We consider this pretence of having a greater sum, not only as doing injustice to 
us, but really injuring the valuable Institution itself; and whether it be not imposing 
on this respectable Corporation to call them together at this difficult season, and upon 
so slight a pretence, we leave to your determination. We apprehend had Doct. Bab- 
cock known every circumstance attending the matter, he would have refused signing an 



200 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

advertisement, as some others of the Fellows did ; and more especially as a major part 
of the members of both branches have actually been consulted upon the same matter. 
Upon this, you are now met and advised that it was not necessary, or that there was 
not that especial emergency required by the charter to induce the calling of a meeting ; — 
and this must evidently appear upon reflection on the vote previous, in regard to 
placing the College at Providence — wherein the 1st of January last was the longest 
time allowed for the Corporation to counter order the vote for placing and carrying on 
the building of the edifice. In consequence, thereof, it became necessary, before the 
Corporation could legally be by charter convened at the said 1st of January, that the 
notification be given twenty days before. 

This, every member present must be sensible, could be the only true construction 
of the vote; — but compliance with this request could not be, as there was a still 
further reasonable injunction laid on those who should require a meeting, viz. : — That 
they should first raise a subscription equal or superior to any before, or that should 
then be cfiered to the Corporation ; which was so far from being the case, that, at that 
junction, there was scarcely any sum subscribed, as we have been well informed ; or, 
at least, not a sufficiency to make even a pretence for application. 

This being the case, it appears evident that some gentlemen of Newport, even from 
their first perceiving the College was like to be erected at Providence, were induced 
by their unreasonable aversion to every emolument of Providence, to do that which 
the good of the Institution itself could not have induced them to do. 

The Chancellor, Gov. Hopkins, thus states the case of the two 
rival claimants, presenting in a clear and concise manner the 
controversy from the beginning : — 

The zeal and spirit of the people here, more than at Newport, for promoting the 
College is certainly most evident: — First, by the unconditional subscription, which, 
in Providence, was nearly double to that in Newport ; whereas, if their zeal for the 
Institution had been equal to ours, the number of the people and their abilities com- 
pared, their subscriptions ought to have been much more than double to ours. And, 
as this was coolly transacted in both towns, before any kind of strife was begun or 
emulation was raised about the place where the College should be erected, it is the 
strongest proof imaginable that the ardor of the Providence people, while no by-ends 
biased, was infinitely greater than that of the gentlemen of Newport. 

Again, if we consider the conditional subscriptions of both towns, we shall evi- 
dently find the same superiority in the Providence people's zeal for the College, for 
this subscription was set on foot and principally filled in Providence, from the very 
laudable motive of promoting the Institution and putting it in a condition that the 



FINAL LOCATION. 201 

College edifice might be erected somewhere, and not with the least view of circumventing 
any other place, as some have too uncharitably represented. 

We first with grief observed the very little progress of the unconditional subscrip- 
tions, after the Commencement, and that there was very little hope, within any reason- 
able time, that a sum in any degree equal to erect a building, which might be tolerably 
decent and useful, would be obtained. This being al?o observed by the late ingenious 
Mr. Campbell, induced him to promote a conditional subscription in King's County 
and Kent, which, as soon as we had knowledge of, we also encouraged, in hopes that 
it might have answered the purpose arrived at. But when that had been fully tried, 
we found that the sum likely to be raised by it would be altogether inadequate to the 
design in hand. 

Things being in this situation, and after divers consultations had about it, we at 
leno-th determined to open a conditional subscription in Providence, which filled beyond 
our warmest expectations, and seemed to promise that a College edifice might be soon 
erected. This subscription we offered to the Corporation at their meeting in November 
last, and they then approved of it. 

But some gentlemen of Newport perceiving a probability that the College might be 
erected at Providence, were moved by their unreasonable enmity to that town, to do 
that which the good of the Institution itself could never have induced them to do. They 
accordingly desired that time might be allowed to the people of the town and county 
of Newport, to see if they could not raise a larger sum for the College than any that 
was then offered ; and accordingly the time they asked was allowed, so long as not to 
delay carrying on the building longer than the 1st of January past. Yet, although 
they have taken near double the time allowed them, and the generous and public- 
spirited Mr. Abraham Redwood hath given more than a fifth part of the whole sum, 
yet their whole subscription doth not exceed ours, from which it is quite plain that 
their zeal for the College, even when whetted by their aversion to Providence, has 
fallen greatly short of ours in the conditional subscriptions also. 

From all which reasons, with some others too invidious to mention, but which will 
naturally occur to all who are acquainted with the proceedings in this matter, it must 
be very evident the College edifice will be much sooner built and the Institution much 
more encouraged and supported, if it be left in the care of the people at Providence, 
who have from the beginning shown so much zeal and attention to it, than if it should 
be removed and put under the care of those people of Newport, who have shown so 
little regard for it in any other light than in making a matter of contention about it. 

Gov. Hopkins alludes to the "unreasonable enmity" of the 
people of Newport to Providence. It is evident, from the early 
history of the College, that there had long existed an unpleasant 

26 



202 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

state of feeling between the two towns, and that this feeHng entered 
into the contest respecting the final Location. The famous Ward 
and Hopkins controversy, commenced in 1755, and continued for 
thirteen years, with all the bitterness of the most partizan strife, 
served, doubtless, to stimulate the zeal and passions of the parties 
now contending for the College. Gov. Ward, who was an active 
member of the Corporation, represented the people in the southern 
counties of the State, while the voters in the northern counties 
supported his more successful rival. The reasons "too invidious 
to mention," which determined the Corporation to locate the 
College in Providence, cannot now, perhaps, be definitely known. 
The decided preference of the President, as indicated in his letter 
to Nicholas Brown, doubtless had great influence with his friends, 
and especially with those of his own religious denomination. 
"The eight Baptist ministers" who were present at the final 
meeting, viz., Russell Mason, of Swansea, Gardner Thurston, of 
Newport, Samuel Winsor, of Providence, Isaac Backus, of Mid- 
dleborough, John Maxson, of Newport, Edward Upham, of New- 
port, Samuel Stillman, of Boston, and the President, "were all 
for Providence," as appears from Manning's letter to Smith, to 
which we have already referred. This is worthy of special notice, 
because three of these ministers belonged in Newport. It is a 
matter of regret that, among the documents on file, there should 
be no memorial or paper giving more particularly the views of 
the Newport people in regard to this vexed question of Location. 
The follow^ing account of the final meeting of the Corporation, 
was written by Mr. Moses Brown, on Thursday, February 9th, 
being the next day after the adjournment: — 

Warren, February 7th, 1770. 
The Corporation met, swore in George Hazard, and chose Darius Sessions as one of 
the Trustees. The gentlemen from Newport kept oif from laying before the Corpora- 
tion their reasons for asking a remove until after " candle light," and after we insisted 



FINAL LOCATION. 203 

that they should lay these subscriptions on the table. They handed a bond from 
sundry persons for £3.100, lawful money, being £10 more than our former bond. We 
insisted then that as that did not amount to so much as ours, with the land, that they 
should give up their claim, agreeable to promise, but after some debate adjourned at 
about ten o'clock in the evening, to nine in the morning. When met, they presented 
two papers, but insisted on knowing the amount of our subscription ; which we had 
before told them was to the amount of the bond, and the unconditional subscription of 
£800 besides. At length Henry Ward took me out towards the door, and declared 
there was all they had, and that they had no orders to go any higher, and proposed if 
we would not lodge any further subscriptions, they would lay down their papers, and 
proceed to trial accordingly. We agreed. William Ellery then lodged the papers 
before held, and would not deliver to anybody, being one bond for £150, lawful money, 
and one other for £300. When we came to foot our sums we had about £226 more 
than they, ours being £4,175. Hereupon they delayed by many evasions proceeding 
to business, and insisted for adjournment to dinner ; after which the meeting met, and 
after waiting three-quarters of an hour, Samuel Ward, Doct. Babcock, Henry Ward, 
etc., came in and presented a security for their unconditional subscription, which they 
said was £508 14s., and a bond for £500 more. All this time no subscriptions were 
produced, they alleging they had left them at home, and none were finally produced. 
By this last bond they exceeded our subscription.^, land and all, about £385. Where- 
upon. It was thought advisable to lodge the last subscription we had to be made use of 
upon this occasion, amounting to £226, with the Treasurer, not caring to trust the vote, 
they being so much ahead, especially as they insisted that our unconditional subscrip- 
tions ought not to tell anything ; whereby they would be about £1,235 over us. This 
reduced it, so that reckoning the whole of their sum and the whole of ours, they were 
£158 more than we. We presented a calculation in the arguments, of the amount of 
the building if at Newport more than if at Providence, amounting to £574 lawful 
money, which we insisted should be added to ours, leaving a balance in our favor of 
£415. The vote came on after long litigation and argument, both Kent and Warren 
putting in their claims. The vote was, " Repeal, or Not;" it passed in the negative 
by twenty-one to fourteen votes. So the merits of the Newport arguments made by 
Henry Ward, etc , replied to by self, Gov. Hopkins, etc. 

February 9th, 1770. ^^«^« ^^^^^"• 

The reader will not fail to observe how active and zealous 
was the author of the foregoing account, in securing for Provi- 
dence the final Location of the College. He was never a mem- 
ber of the Corporation, although elected a Trustee, and repeat- 



204 BEOWNUNIVEESITY. 

edly urged by his associates to accept the position. In 1773, at 
the age of thirty-five, he became a member of the Society of 
Friends. Withdrawing, at this time, from the bustle of commerce 
and trade, he sought that retirement to which his feeble health 
invited, and which was more congenial to his early-formed taste 
for intellectual pursuits. Here on his beautiful estate in the 
environs of Providence, in rural quiet and simplicity, he spent a 
long and useful life, aiding by his judicious counsels and abun- 
dant wealth in the promotion of intelligence, piety, and freedom 
among men. One of his latest acts was to collect and arrange a 
file of papers relating to the early history of the College, for 
which the Corporation passed a vote of thanks at their annual 
meeting in 1833. To these papers we have been specially 
indebted for this documentary chapter of our work. 

One of the results of the Location of the College at Provi- 
dence, was a movement on the part of the defeated contestants 
to establish a college in Newport. Dr. Stiles states in his Diary, 
February 23, 1770: "Mr. EUery came to discourse about the 
charter of another college, on the plan of equal liberty to Con- 
gregationalists. Baptists, Episcopalians and Quakers." And, April 
1, 1770, he adds: "There is now pending before the General 
Assembly of Rhode Island, a petition for a charter for a college 
here in Newport, since the first Rhode Island College is fixed at 
Providence. College enthusiasm!" The application was favora- 
bly received in the House, and a charter was granted by a vote 
of twenty majority. In the Senate, however, it was either rejected 
or indefinitely postponed. The following action of the Corpora- 
tion, at a special meeting held in Warren, on the 2d of April, is 
the probable explanation of the defeat of this project: — 

Resolvkd, That this Corporation make application to the General Asfembly, and 
pray that a petition now before the Assembly for granting a charter to another college, 
be rejected. 



FINAL LOCATION. 206 

YoTED, That Chancellor Hopkins, President Manning, Hon. Darius Sessions, Rev. 
Samuel Stillman, Col. Job Bennet, and Secretary Eyres, be a Committee to draw up a 
memorial to the General Assembly, pursuant to the preceding vote." 

The said memorial, or remonstrance, having been prepared 
and approved, it was — 

Voted, That the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Hon. Samuel Ward, Hon. Darius 
Sessions, Job Bennet, Moses Brown, Daniel Jenckes, John Tillinghast, Oliver Arnold, 
and Jaiues Mitchell Varnum, be, and they or the major part of them are, appointed a 
Committee to be present at the General Assembly, and enforce the said remonstrance. 

This remonstrance we are happy to be able to present to our 
readers. It is an exceedingly valuable document, inasmuch as it 
settles points in regard to the origin of the College, which have 
sometimes been disputed, giving the reasons why it was founded, 
stating clearly, in connection with previous narratives or accounts, 
by whom it was founded, when it was founded, and where the plan 
originated : — 

To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode Island, to sit at 

Newport, on the first Wednesday in May, 1770. 

The Remonstrance of the Trustees and Fellows of the Corporation of the College 
in said Colony humbly sheweth : — 

That the several denominations of Baptists residing in most of the British Northern 
Colonies, are, taken collectively, a considerable body of Christians ; and these people 
having of late years taken into consideration that there are no public seminaries for 
the education of youth, where those of that persuasion can enjoy equal freedom and 
advantages with otliers, were thereby induced to form a resolution to erect a college, 
and institute a seminary for the education of youth somewhere in North America, to be 
efiected chiefly, if not altogether, by the application, and at the cost and expense of 
the Baptist churches. 

That having proceeded thus far, they began to inquire after the most convenient 
place for executing their design ; and on deliberation, finding that the Colony of Rhode 
Island was first settled chiefly by Baptists, that a very considerable part of its inhabi- 
tants are still of that persuasion, and that a universal toleration of liberty of conscience 
hath from the beginning taken place in it, they had great hope it would prove a proper 
place for founding a College, and in which the infant Institution might be most encour- 
aged ; and accordingly they applied to the General Assembly of said Colony for a 



206 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

charter of incorporation, wbich they thankfully acknowledge was freely granted them. 

That in forming this charter care was taken, that, notwithstanding the burden of 
expense was to fall chiefly on the Baptists, yet, no other Christian society should be 
excluded from the benefits of it ; and accordingly, a sufficient number from each of 
the principal of them were taken in to be Trustees and Fellows in the Corporation, as 
might be able to take care of, and guard their interest in it, in all time to come. And 
the youth of every denomination of Christians are fully entitled to, and actually enjoy 
equal advantages in every respect, as the Baptists themselves, without being burdened 
with any religious test or complaint whatsoever. 

That, since granting the charter aforesaid, several considerable men among the 
Baptists have taken great pains, as well in Europe as in America, to solicit benefactions 
for endowing said College, and have collected considerable sums for that purpose ; and 
many others of the same Society, have become very large contributors towards the 
expense of erecting the College edifice. 

All this being known and understood, we confess our surprise at the thoughts of 
those, who are pleased to look upon this as a very contracted plan ; and this surprise 
becomes a real concern on being informed that a petition hath been set on foot, and 
subscribed by a great number of persons, praying the General Assembly to grant 
another charter for instituting a college within the said Colony, different and separate 
from that already granted and establishecl, and pretended to be on a more liberal and 
catholic plan ; and our concern is increased to a real anxiety, on perceiving the General 
Assembly entertained the said petition with some kind of approbation . 

Permit us, therefore, to remonstrate, that, as we had firm reliance on the lasting 
faith and credit of the Legislative Body of the Colony of Rhode Island, that faith and 
credit hath by us as a Corporation, been asserted, and pledged, in most parts of Eng- 
land, and Ireland, and in many parts of America; and, on that foundation large sums 
of money have been given, and more subscribed towards this Institution. That, should 
a charter be granted for erecting another corporation of the same kind in this Colony, 
all those who have been benefactors to this will think themselves deluded, and deceived; 
notwithstanding, we have acted under the faith of the government ; ^nd all those that 
hereafter might become benefactors, will be discouraged, and hindered. That the 
granting of our Charter, being for erecting and endowing a College in the Colony 
Rhode Island, must, rationally, and justly, be considered as exclusive of any other 
college being erected within it. 

Therefore, your Remonstrants humbly pray, that you would be pleased to counte- 
nance and encourage the present Institution and College in this Colony ; and not 
permit, or sufier, any other to be set up and established to rival and ruin it. 

And your Remonstrants will ever pray. 



FINAL LOCATION. 207 

A manuscript in the hand-writing of the Rev. Dr. Stiles, pur- 
porting to be the charter for another college which the petitioners 
failed to secure from the General Assembly, is, we understand, in 
the possession of Dr. David King, of Newport. 

Allusion has been made to the file of papers relating to the 
Location of the College, preserved by Mr. Brown. Our readers 
will peruse with pleasure the following interesting letter respect- 
ing them from the venerable philanthropist, written, it may be 
added, when in his ninety-fifth year. "We publish it entire, 
although the latter part belongs rather to the history of Roger 
Williams and the First Baptist Church : — 

Providence, 25th of 5th month, 1833. 
Esteemed friend, Francis Way land : — 

Agreeable to encouragement given thee when at my house, I herewith send thee a 
file of papers containing copies of originals, which T preserved at the time of their 
transactions, respecting the removal of the College from Wai'ren, after the Corporation 
had set the Location of it at liberty from Warren, where it had been concluded to 
place it, and where the first Commencement was held. I had them copied soon after 
we conversed about them, when thou seemed, as I thought, to have a choice for them. 
I wish they were better done, but such as they are, after comparing, I leave them at 
thy disposal. I presume there are no other writings or copies that contain the same, or 
so full accounts of the progress, labor, and I may say, anxiety which occured on the 
subject at and about that business. When the fixing of the College edifice here was 
firmly settled, rather than at Warren, Newport, or East Greenwich, which all claimed 
the preference, our house, then composed of four brothers, viz., Nicholas, Joseph, 
John and Moses Brown, concluded to take charge of building the necessary buildings, 
purchasing land for the same, etc. At that time, gardens and buildings were to be 
purchased and removed, besides the site for the College ; for we then knew the lot 
from Main street to the neck road on the east was the original home lot of our ancestor, 
Chad Brown, of whom we had the tradition that he was the first Baptist Elder in 
Providence. Doct. Edwards when collecting materials for the history of the Baptists 
here, and examining all the elderly people he could find here, on which business I 
accompanied him, was informed that Chad Brown was the first Elder, although Roger 
Williams being a preacher before he came here, was a preacher and continued it here 
for some time. Richard Scott says he was with him in the Baptist way three or four 
months, when Roger left them, and went in a way of seeking. Roger's testimony 



208 BROWN university; 

respecting Chad Brown, I have under his own hand, in a plea of his before the Court 
of the four New England Colonies, saying, " Chad Brown a wise and godly soul, (now 
with God,) with myself brought the first twelve and the after comers to a oneness by 
arbitration." Chad and his wife were buried in their own lot near the northwest 
corner of the now town house, and had a large square monument of granite over them, 
till by the request of the town to widen that street, their bones were taken up and 
interred in the North Burying Ground, and head and foot stones were erected over 
them by the town. T saw their remains when taken up. His son John Brown (his 
eldest) was also a preacher, but not an elder, and was the father of James Brown, 
long a Baptist elder until his death. Thou may see by all this our family had an 
interest in promoting the Institution now called Brown University, besides the purchase 
of the name by my worthy nephew Nicholas ; and I hope it may continue useful to 
posterity and retain the liberal principles of the founders of the State and Institution. 
Here I may mention that Chad Brown was one, who, in 1640, as a committee-man of 
the town, reported a plan for the peace of the then town and the establishment of 
liberty of conscience, and who, in 1643, was appointed to mediate between the Gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts and the settlers in Warwick. These, however, are matters of 
history, the first in "Simplicity's Defence," the other in " Hazard's State Papers." 
Possibly thou may not have known he also appears on our town records to have been a 
surveyor of land in early times 

When I began this letter, I had nothing more in view than a few lines to introduce 
the copies of the minutes, letters, etc., respecting the removal of the College here, but as 
I have gone further, I conclude to give thee my own knowledge respecting the changes 
and alterations in the Baptist church in this town, which was in very early time known 
by the name of Six Principle Baptist. In proof of this, I have an original letter of 
Elder Pardon Tillinghast, signed by himself, Gregory Dexter and Aaron Davis, in 
behalf of the brethren of the church in this town, dated in the 5th month, then July, 
1681 ; and this is confirmed by Elder Tillinghast's deed of the Baptist meeting house 
and lot to the church. Their views are explained by the passage in Hebrews, 6 : 2, 
" laying on of hands." This was the agreed practice in 1732, at a special meeting of 
the ministers and elders at Elder Brown's, signed by ten ministers and fourteen other 
members on this subject.* Also I have a pamphlet written by James Manning, to a 
minister desiring his views on the subject, as appears by comparing the manuscript 
with other writings of his. I mention these facts, not that I consider them otherwise 
than historical facts, which in the modern history of the society are contrarily repre- 
sented to support the present ruling writers. Indeed, the difference is marked between 
the old church of the Baptists iu this town and after Elder Manning, a worthy godly 

* This letter is published in Manning and Brown University, page 154. 



FINAL LOCATION. 209 

man and an excellent preacher, whom I attended in his last moments, and whom we 
all loved. In divers respects, however, his practice was different from the church here, 
and much difficulty was in the meeting upon the subject of singing and the contribution 
box, these being never before known. To give a vote of the church in favor of the 
first more paiticularly, the female members were called upon to vote, though not usual, 
and my mother and sister attended accordingly. This occasioned a serious division 
with the old deacons and members. Elder Manning having powerful aid from some 
of the old members, and being prudent enough to keep himself out of the strife, pre- 
served the affection most generally of the church. At length a separation was con- 
cluded on, the meeting house and lot were sold, the money was divided, the meeting 
house in Johnston on the plain was built, and also the hou?e now called the First 
Baptist. My brother Joseph was a member of the church, and when he brought his 
contribution box to my mother's pew, I now remember my reluctant feelings for him, 
our family and the church never having seen the like in our meeting, though often in 
the Congregational and other churches. And though much has been said of Roger 
Williams as being a Baptist,"* yet in his book of " Hireling Ministry none of Christs," 
printed in 1652, on page 8, he says, " Jesus Christ never made bargains with his mes- 
sengers or pastors; " and on page 14, he says, "Universities as to the ministry of Jesus 
Christ are none of his institutions ; the title scholar appointed to the ministry is a 
sacrilegious and thievish title, robbing all believers and saints." These views of Roger 
I believe are little known by Baptists, as the book is out of print. Were these and 

* Mr. Williams, according to Winthrop, was baptized, with eleven others, on or previous 
to March. 16, 1639, thus constituting the First Baptist Church of Providence. He may, 
therefore, with propriety he regarded as the founder of the Baptist denomination in America. 
It is not, however, contended that he thereby assumed the pastoral relation, as he did not 
long retain his connection with the church. He had doubts, it appears, in regard to the 
validity of his baptism, in consequence of the absence of "a visible succession" of author- 
ized administrators of the rite. His views too in regard to the Christian ministry underwent 
a change, as is indicated in "The Hireling Ministry," to which Mr. Brown refers. His 
mission was to establish in the New World a government on the principles of entire civil 
and religious freedom. He was, however, a man of genuine piety, and he adhered through 
life, so far as we may judge from his published writings, to the sentiments which he advo- 
cated in his earlier years. He believed in conversion as a condition of church mem- 
bership ; this is evident fi'om all his controversial works. In regard to what is known as 
the distinguishing sentiment or doctrine of Baptists at the present day, viz. , baptism by 
immersion, he thus writes, more than ten years after the founding of the Providence church : 
" I believe THEIR PRACTICE" (referring to the Baptists at Seekonk) "comes nearer the 

PIRST PRACTICE OF OUR GREAT FOUNDER, ChRIST JeSUS, THAN OTHER PRACTICES OF RELIGION 

DO." See Biographical Introduction to the Writings of Roger Williams, in the Publica- 
tions of the Narragansett Club, pp. 35-8. 
27 



210 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



other things more fully known, I presume he would not stand in the Society as an 
example. His early and latter writings are very different, showing his instability as 
to his claims of religion. If any information to thee should be derived, my object in 
relating them with Christian freedom will be answered. 

I conclude and remain thy friend, 

Moses Brown. " 




SUBSCRIPTIONS 



OBTAINED IN 



SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA, 



Rev. HEZEKIAH SMITH 



1769-1770. 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 




HEN the Corporation met at Warren, in 1769, to decide 
upon the Location of the College, they voted : — 

That tbe Rev. Hezekiah Smith be desired by this Corporation to solicit benefactions 
for their use, in the southern and western provinces on this continent, or elsewhere, 
and that suitable credentials be given him for that purpose, by the Chancellor and 
President, with the seal of the Corporation annexed. 

The following is a copy of the "credentials," from a rough 
draft on file: — 

By the Honorable Stephen Hopkins, Esquire, Chancellor, and the Reverend James 
i\Ianning, President of the College or University in the English Colony of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations in New England in America. To the Rev. 
Hezekiah Smith, of Haverhill, in America, Greeting : 

Where.\s, the General Assembly of the Colony aforesaid, taking into consideration 
the many advantages derived to society from educating youth in useful literature, did 
grant a charter incorporating the '^persons therein named into a body politic, and 
empowering them to erect, found and endow a College or University in said Colony : 
And whereas, the said Corporation from the smallness of their funds, have found them- 
selves under a necessity of requesting the generous assistance of the friends of religion 
and learning without the said Colony : yVnd whereas, the said Corporation at their 
annual meeting at Warren, on the first Wednesday in September, instant, being well 
convinced of your affection and regard to the said College or University, and of your 
integrity and ability, did unanimously appoint and request you to solicit and receive 
benefactions in any part of America for the benefit of the said Institution. These are, 



114 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

therefore, to empower and authorize you, the said Hezekiah Smith, to receive all such 
charitable donations as shall be made in America, for the erecting, founding or endow- 
ino- the said College or University ; assuring the donors thut their benefactions shall be 
religiously applied by the said Corporation to the purposes they shall direct. 

In testimony whereof, we, the said Chancellor and President, have hereunto set 
our hands and caused the seal of the said College or University, to be affixed 

[l. s.] this day of September, in the ninth year of the reign of His Most Sacred 

Majesty George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, etc.. 
Anno Domini, 1769. 

By order, Stephen Hopkins, Chancellor, 

James Manntng, President. 

Mr. Smith, whose relations with President Manning from early 
manhood down to the close of life, were those of the greatest inti- 
macy, was born on Long Island, New York, on the 21st of April, 
1738. In his youth he became pious, and at the age of nineteen 
he joined the Baptist church in New York city, then under the 
pastoral care of the Rev. John Gano. He commenced his classi- 
cal education at Hopewell, entered the College of New Jersey at 
Princeton, and graduated in the year 1762, in the same class with 
Manning. After leaving college, he travelled through the south-- 
ern provinces, in order to recover his health, which had become 
somewhat impaired by a too close confinement to his studies. In 
a single year he made a tour of four thousand miles, and laid the 
foundations of lasting friendship with the Rev. Messrs. Hart, Pelot, 
and others of a kindred spirit, whose intercourse and correspon- 
dence proved a delight to him in his riper years. At Charleston, 
South Carolina, he was ordained by several ministers of the Charles- 
ton Association. The Baptist church in Haverhill, Massachusetts, 
gathered through Mr. Smith's instrumentality, was organized on 
the 9th of May, 1765, and he was chosen the pastor. Here he 
labored as an earnest and effective preacher of the Gospel, during 
a period of forty years, or until his death, which occurred January 
22, 1805. For a fuller account of him, together with extracts from 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 215 

his correspondence while serving as a chaplain in the American 
army, see Manning and Brown University, pages 135-142. 

Mr. Smith left home on his important mission for the College, 
October 2, 1769, and returned June 8, 1770, having been absent 
from the people of his charge a little over eight months. He 
travelled extensively through South Carolina, and Georgia, preach- 
ing as he had opportunity, and prosecuting with energy and zeal 
the work to which he had been appointed. His fervid piety, his 
eloquence, his commanding presence and genial manners, gained 
him hearers, and rendered him everywhere a welcome guest. He 
succeeded in obtaining subscriptions to the amount of £3,710 ITs 
Qd, South Carolina currency, of which he collected £2,528 8s Qd, 
as appears from his final accounts, which were submitted to the 
Corporation at their annual meeting in 1770. In a letter to Dr. 
Stennet, dated June 7, 1770, President Manning writes: — "Our 
brother, Hezekiah Smith, of Haverhill, has collected and obtained 
subscriptions in South Carolina and Georgia, from whence he has 
just returned, to the amount of about £500 sterling." From Mr. 
Smith's diary we select for publication that portion relating to 
this journey : — 

October 1, in the evening preached at Mr. Thomas Osgood's, from Psalms, 45 : 13, 
Monday, 2, went to Medfield and lodged for the night at Nathan Plimpton's. Tuesday, 
3, went to the Rev. Mr. Manning's, in Warren. Wednesday, 4, went to Col. Bennet's, 
in Newport. Thursday, 5, in the evening preached in Mr, Thurston's pulpit, from 
Genesis, 45 : 4. Friday, 6, went to Jonas Belton's, in Groton. Saturday, 7, went 
to E.ev. Jonathan Todd's, in East Gilford ; tarried there till Monday. Sunday, 8, 
preached two sermons in Mr. Todd's pulpit ; in the forenoon from Genesis, 45 : 4, and 
in the afternoon from Titus, 3 : 7. The assembly were much affected, and I can but 
think and hope that God blessed these discourses to some souls. Monday, 9, went to 
Mr. Nichols's, in Stratford. Tuesday, 10, went to East Chester, to Mr. Butler's. 
Wednesday, 11, went to New York. Thursday, 12, embarked for Charleston, on 
board the sloop Sally, Capt. Peter Schermerhorn. Arrived at Charleston, South 
Carolina, on the 20th; went to Rev. Oliver Hart's, and there tarried. Sunday, 22, 
preached two sermons from Genesis, 45 : 4, and Romans, 5:1. Monday, 28, Tues- 
day, 24, Wednesday, 25, and Thursday, 26, solicited donations for Rhode Island 



216 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

College. Thursday evening, preached a sermon in Rev. Oliver Hart's pulpit, from 
Zechariah, 3 : 9. Friday, 27, and Saturday, 28, solicited donations for the College. 
Sunday, 29, preached two sermons, from Mark, 8: 38, and Habakkuk, 11: 16- 
Monday, 30, and so througli the whole week solicited donations. Tuesday and Wed- 
nesday evenings, preached from 1st Corinthians, 9 : 24, and Genesis, 24: 49, Sunday, 
November 5, in the evening preached in the Rev. Mr. Hart's pulpit, from Solomon's 
Song, 5: 2. Monday, 6, to Saturday. 11, solicited benefactions for Rhode Island 
College, though Thursday evening preached from Isaiah, 23 : 1. Sunday, 12, preached 
three sermons in Rev. Mr. Hart's pulpit, from Romans, 12:2, John, 18 : 4, and 
Revelations, 14: 15. Monday, 13, and all the week, solicited benefactions for the 
College. Thursday evening preached a sermon from John, 3 : 14. Saturday, 18, 
married Nathan Ellis and Mary Drysdel, both of Charleston. Sunday, 19, preached 
two sermons in Rev. Mr. Hart's pulpit, from Deuteronomy, 32 : 2, and Acts, 13 : 41, 
and heard Mr. Done preach one. Monday, 20, collected money for the College. 
Tuesday, 21, went to Mr. Bee's, at Pon Pon. Wednesday, 22, went to Mr. Jordon's, 
at the Saltcatchers. Thursday, 23, went to Rev. Francis Pelot's, in Eutaw. Friday, 
24, went to Mr. Screven's in Georgia, and tarried there till Monday, when I went to 
Mr. Stirk's. Tuesday, 28, went to Savannah, to Mr. Bolton's. Wednesday, 29, 
went to Rev. Mr. Osgood's, at Midway. Tarried there two days. Friday, December 
1, went to Sunsbury to Rev. Mr. Edmund's, and preached in the evening from " So 
run that ye may obtain." Saturday, 2, went to Rev. Mr. Osgood's. Sunday, 3, 
preached two sermons in Rev. Mr. Osgood's pulpit, from Deuteronomy, 32 : 2, and 
Romans, 5:1. Monday, 4, detained at Mr. Osgood's on account of rain. Tuesday, 
5, went to Savannah and lodged at Rev. Mr. Zubly's. Wednesday, 6, solicited bene- 
factions for the College. Thursday, 7, went to Benjamin Stirk's, at Leeds, in St, 
Matthews, and preached from John, 5 : 10. After sermon, baptized Elizabeth Wil- 
liams, of Gosham, in St. Matthews Parish. Friday, 8, and Saturday, 9, solicited 
benefactions for the College. Met with good success. Sunday 10, preached one sei- 
mon in Rev. Mr. Zubly's pulpit, from Song of Solomon, 6 : 16. He preached in the 
afternoon. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, solicited benefactions for the College, 
though on Tuesday afternoon went to Rev. Mr. Whitefield's Orphan House, where I 
delivered two discourses, — one the same evening I got there, from Romans 5:1, and 
the other the next morning, from Deuteronomy 32 : 2. After the morning service, 
breakfasted and took a view of the buildings and the wings which were then building, 
and then returned to Savannah. Wednesday, 13, had the pleasure to sup with Mr. 
Whitefield, and also to breakfast with him the next morning, at James Habersham's. 
Thursday, 14, went on boat to go to Hilton Head, and lodged the night on Bloody 
Point. Friday, 15, got to the island Hilton Head and went to Capt. Samuel 
Green's. Lodged there till morning. Saturday, preached on the muster field to the 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 217 

company assembled for exercise, from Ephesians 6:11. Then the Captain exercised 
his company, after which I got £100, Southern currency, subsci'ibed for the Rhode 
Island College. Sabbath, 17, preached from Luke 14 : 18. Monday, December 
18, went to Rev. Mr. Pelot's, at Eutaw. Tuesday, 19, collected for the College. 
Wednesday, 20, set out to Charleston; the first night lodged at Mr. Main's, in 
Indian Land, the second night at Mr. Branford's, at Pon Pon ; Friday evening, reached 
Charleston. Saturday, September 23, among my friends and in my study. Sunday, 
24, preached three times; first from Isaiah 40 : 1, then from Zechariah 9 : 12, and 
in the evening from Luke 13 : 25. Monday, 25, in the forenoon, heard Mr. Cald- 
well preach, and in the evening married John Gowrlay and Elizabeth River. Tuesday, 
26, to Saturday, 30, collecting for the College, visiting and studying, though Thurs- 
day evening I preached from Hebrews 12 : 25. Sabbath, 31, preached three sermons, 
from Revelation 5:12, and John 6 : 37. 

Monday, January 1, preached from Hebrews 13 : 5. Tuesday, January 2, col- 
lecting for the College. Wednesday, January 3, visiting and getting bills of exchange. 
Thursday, 4, and Friday, 5, engaged in collecting for our College. Saturday, 6, in 
Mr. Hart's study. Sunday, January 7, preached three sermons in Mr. Hart's pulpit; 
two from 2d Peter 1 : 10 ; and one from Revelation 12:11. Monday, 8, and 
through the week, endeavoring to collect. Sunday, 14, preached two sermons; one 
in the forenoon, from Leviticus 25 : 9, and in the evening from Matthew 5 : 20. Mr. 
Done preached in the afternoon. Monday, 15, endeavoring to collect for the Col- 
lege as opportunity served, though Friday evening preached in Mr. Hart's meeting 
house, from Isaiah 30 : 10. Saturday, 20, in Mr. Hart's study. Sunday, 21, 
preached in the forenoon from Jeremiah 31 : 20. Mr. Done preached in the afternoon, 
and I in the evening from Jeremiah 3 : 22. Monday, 22, to Wednesday, 24, wait- 
ing a passage to St. Helena. Thursday, 25 to Saturday, 27, among my friends 
and in ray study. Sabbath, 28, preached in the forenoon from Job 23 : 3. Heard 
Mr. Matthews preach in the afternoon, and I preached in the evening from Proverbs 
3 : 17. Monday, 29, went to Pon Pon, to Mr. Ezekiel Brandford's. Tuesday, 30. 
to the Horse Shoe, to Mr. Josiah Pendervise's ; lodged there two nights. Thursday, 
February 1, went to Mr. BuUine's, in Stono. Friday, February 2, went to Charleston. 
Succeeded very well in collecting for the College this week. Saturday, February 3, 
at Mr. Hart's. Sunday, 4, heard Mr. Matthews and Mr. Hart preach during the 
day, and I preached in the evening from John 7 : 37. Monday, February 5, met in 
Association with the churches of South Carolina, in Charleston, and in the evening 
preached from Job 23 : 4. Tuesday, February 6, met in Association. Wednesday, 
7, collecting for the College. Thursday, 8, preached Mr. Edmund Matthew's ordi- 
nation sermon, from 2d Timothy 2 : 24, — " Apt to teach. " Friday and Saturday, 
detained in town by bad weather. Sunday, February 11, in the evening preached 
28 



218 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

from 1st Corinthians 2 : 14. Monday, 12, in Charleston. Tuesday, 13, left Charles- 
ton and got to G-eorgetown on Thursday. Friday, February 16, preaohed at Mr. 
Flin's, the tavern, from Isaiah 28 : 16. Saturday, 17, left Georgetown and went in 
the evening to Mr. Wetherspoon's, on Lynch Creek. Sunday, 18th, went to Tilman 
Cobb's, on Pedee. Monday, 19, went to Peter Cobb's Tuesday, 20, went to Capt. 
George Hick's. Wednesday, 21, to Mr. Pegue's. Thursday, 22, collecting. Friday, 

23, preached at Mr. Bedingfield's, from " So run that ye may obtain." Saturday, 

24, went to E,ev. Mr. Bedgegood's ; preached for him on Lord's day, from Komans 
5:1. Monday and Tuesday at Mr. Bedgegood's. Wednesday, 28, went to Arthur 
Hart's, and preached from Hebrews 12 : 1. 

Thursday, March 1, went to Malachi Murfee's. Friday, 2, went to Benjamin 
James's, in Cashway. Saturday, 3, Preached in Cash way meeting house from "Is 
all well." Sabbath, 4, preached in Casway from 2d Corinthians, 13 : 11. Monday, 
5, went to Capt. Thompson's, at Swift Creek ; to get to his house from Peter Cobb's, 
I went by the Devil's Wood Yard and over Belly Ache Run. Tuesday, March 6, I 
went to John Perkins, after crossing Lynch's Creek. Wednesday, 7, went to Capt. 
Cartee's, in Camden, or at the Pine Tree. Thursday, March 8, went to Capt. How- 
ard's at the High Hills of Santee. The Santee is formed by the Wateree and the 
Congree. The Congree is formed by Saluda and Broad rivers. The Catawba river 
runs into the Wateree. Friday, 9, I preached at Dr Howard's, from " What think 
ye of Christ?" A blessed appearance of religion was among the people. I trust 
God is about to gather in some of his elect in this place. Saturday, 10, preached 
from Acts 16 : 30. Sabbath, 11, preached two sermons, one from 1st Corinthians 
9 : 24, and another from Romans 6 : 23. Monday, March 12, went to Mr. Sumpter's, 
on the Santee, and preached the same evening from John 3 : 7 Tuesday, 13, went 
to Monk's Corner. Wednesday, 14, went to Charleston. Thursday, 15, to Saturday, 

17, in town among my friends, and settling my business for my departure. Sabbath, 

18, preached from Malachi 4 : 2. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, collecting for 
the College. Thursday evening, preached from Hosea 10 : 12. Friday and Saturday, 
in town and in my study. Sunday 25, preached three sermons from 1st Timothy 
1 : 8, Ezekiel 17 : 23, and Revelation 20 : 12. Monday and Tuesday, in the country 
collecting. Wednesday and Thursday, in town and on James Island. Thursday 
evening I preached in Mr. Hart's pulpit from Luke 5 : 31. Friday and Saturday, 
collecting. Sunday, April 1, preached three sermons, from Luke 10 : 30-36, 
Hebrews 2:3, and Revelation 1:7. Monday and Tuesday, collecting. Wednes- 
day, preached in the Baptist meeting house on James Island, from Titus 3:7. 
Thursday, collecting, and in the evening preached from Solomon's Song 1:5. Friday 
and Saturday, collecting, visiting and in my study. Sunday, 8, heard Mr. Stirk and 
Mr. Hart preach durJhg the day, and I preached in the evening from Proverbs 28 : 26. 



EAELY SUBSCEIPTION S. 219 

Monday and Tuesday, collecting and visiting. Wednesday, visiting and in my study. 
Thursday, 12, in the evening preached from Ezekiel 36 : 26. Friday and Saturday, 
getting ready for my departure, and in the study preparing for the Lord's day. Sun- 
day, 15, preached in the forenoon in Mr. Hart's pulpit from PJcclesiastes 11 : 1, and. 
in the evening from Revelation 2:17. Monday, 16, preparing to embark for New 
York. Tuesday, 17, in the evening preached my farewell sermon from 2d. Corinthians 
13:11. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, in town waiting a passage. Saturday, 
21, left Charleston, and lay in the RebeUion Road until Sunday, 22 ; went over the Bar 
and arrived at New York the last day of April. Found my friends well. Tuesday, May 
1. preached in the evening in Mr. Gano's pulpit from Ezekiel 36 : 26. Wednesday, in 
New York. Thursday, went to New Jersey. Friday, visited my parents. Saturday, 
back to New York. Sunday, 6, preached three times in Mr. Gano's pulpit, from Jere- 
miah 31 : 20, Jeremiah 3 : 22, and Revelation 1 : 7. Monday, Tuesday and Wednes- 
day, among my friends. Thursday evening, preached in Mr. Gano's pulpit from Ezekiel 
47 : 8. Friday, went to New Jersey. Saturday, at my brothers. Sunday, 13, 
preached three times at Lion's Farms, from Jeremiah 3 : 22, Jeremiah 31 : 20, and 
Revelation 1:7. Monday, at Connecticut Farms. Tuesday, preached at Short Hill, 
from John 15 : 10. After service went to my father's, where I preached Thursday 
evening from John 7 : 37. Friday, at my father's. Saturday, 19, went to Newark. 
Sunday, 20, preached three sermons in the Lion's Farms Baptist meeting house, from 
Malachi 4 : 2, and Philemon 1 : 21. Monday, 21, preached at the Scotch Plains 
Baptist meeting house, from 1st Corinthians 9 : 24. Tuesday, 22, went to New York, 
Wednesday, 23, preached in Mr. Gano's church in the evening, from Revelation 2 : 17. 
Thursday, went to my brother Jeremiah's, Connecticut Farms, and there tarried until 
Saturday, when I went to New York. Sunday, 27, preached three times in Mr. 
Gano's pulpit, from Job 23 : 3-4, and Romans 9 : 33. Monday, set out for Haverhill. 
Lodged the night at Mr. Dehart's, on Long Island. Tuesday night, lodged at Mr. 
Smith's. Wedneday, 30, went to Southhold, and preached a sermon at John Simm's, 
from Matthew 22 : 42 Thursday, went to Sterling, and there tarried the night. 
Friday, June 1, went to the Rev. Mr. Lee's, at Oyster Pond. Preached in the 
eveiiing at his house from 1st Corinthians 9 : 24. Saturday, crossed the Ferry to 
New London. Sunday, 3, preached in Mr. Woodbridge's meeting house from Romans 
5:1; in the Poor House from Luke 5 : 31 ; and in the Court House from 1st 
Corinthians 9 : 24, Monday, 4, went to Providence ; lodged two nights at Mr. 
Nicholas Brown's. Tuesday, 5, in the evening preached in Mr. Winsor's meeting 
house from Revelation 1:7. Wednesday, went to Charlestown, and lodged at Mr. 
Brown's. Thur&day, went to Capt. White's, in Methaven. Friday, 8, went home 
to Haverhill, and found things in quietness. Rejoiced to see my good friends, to 
whose souls I long to be of service. 



220 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

From the foregoing diary, it appears that Mr. Smith was 
absent from his home two hundred and fifty days, and that 
during this period he preached just one hundred times. The 
following letter from the Rev. Oliver Hart, shows how he was 
received, and the manner in which he performed the duties of 
his mission : — 

Charleston, April 17, 1770. 

Dear Mr. Manning: — As our good friend, Mr. Smith, is now almost ready to 
embark for your northern clime, I embrace the opportunity of sending you a few lines, 
which I hope you will accept as a superadded token of my unfeigned regard. I am 
sorry Mr. Smith is obliged to leave us so soon. His labors have been acceptable to 
my people universally, and many others have constantly crowded to hear him. Some, 
I trust, have received advantage by his faithful preaching. Two young men were to 
see him last night under soul concern. May the good work be carried on in their 
hearts, and may we yet hear of many more being awakened to a sense of their lost state 
by nature. As to his endeavors to serve the College, they have been indefatigable, 
and his success has been more than equal to what could have been expected, all things 
considered. I am sure he has merited the grateful acknowledgments of the Corpora- 
tion. No man could have done more, and few would have done so much as he has, 
to serve the Institution. He has met with much opposition, and borne many reflec- 
tions, but none of these things have discouraged him. I heartily wish the benefactions 
of this province may greatly promote the welfare of the College. Great grace be 

with you. 

I am yours, etc., Oliver Hart. 

The document, of which the following is an exact title, is 
among the archives of the University. It gives not only the 
names of benefactors, with the several amounts subscribed, but 
also the names of others" upon whom Mr. Smith called, with 
remarks added, such as, "No money/' "Doubtful," "Probable," 
"Call again," "Out of town," "Go thy way for this time," etc., etc. 
These latter names, which constitute the bulk of the document, 
are here omitted for want of room. The original paper from 
which the document in question was carefully copied, in the 
hand-writing of Mr. Smith, has recently been presented to the 
University, by the Rev. Ebenezer Thresher, of Dayton, Ohio, a 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 



221 



graduate in the class of 1827. It is a small duodecimo manu- 
script of twenty-six pages, and bears the marks of age and use : — 

An exact list of Benefactions, etc., to the Rhode Island College, collected 

AND got subscribed IN SoUTH CAROLINA AND GrEORGIA, BY HeZEKIAII SmITH. 



South Carolina. — Charleston 

[South Carolina Currency, jB 

Hon. Wm. Bull, Lieut-Gov., - 50 
Hon. Othniel Beal, Member of 

the Council, - - - 
Hon^ Peter Manigault, Speaker, 
Gabriel Manigault, Esq., 
David Grasme, Esq., - 
Barnard Elliott, Esq., - 
Christopher Gadsden, Esq., 
Col. Henry Laurens, 
Hopkin Price, - - - 
John Hodsden, - - - 
Thomas Lamboll, Esq., 
Col. Probet Howarth, 
Thomas Farr, - - - 
Rebekah Holmes, - - - 
William Burrows, Esq. , Master 

in Chancery, - 
Rev. Mr. Emly, 
Alexander Perronneau, - 
Capt. Thomas Tucker, 
Thomas Young, 
Stephen Town send, 
Justinus StoU, . . . 
Thomas Screven, 
Tchabod Atwell, - . - 
Oliver Cromwell, 
James Johnson, - - - 
Charles Crouch, 
David Williams, - - - 
Judith Ball, 

James Phillips, . - . 
Wm. Edwards, one Bridle, 
James Richards, - - - 
Samuel Cords, - - - 
Doct. John De Lahoe, - 
Susanna Walker, 
Sarah Lessene, ... 
George Cooke, - - - 







25 


4 





50 


8 





100 16 





50 








100 








20 








50 


8 





25 


4 





50 








17 








12 12 





7 


7 





10 








12 12 





11 10 





5 15 





10 








25 








7 


7 





50 








50 








10 








5 








5 








5 








126 








8 


5 





30 








5 








5 








5 








10 





1 


1 10 





1 








5 









[South Carohna currency, £ s. d. 

Elisha Poinsett, - - - 5 


Brailsford & Muncreeff, - 


10 


Simmons & Co., 


3 2 


Leger & Co., ... 


5 15 


Francis Gutter, - - - 


5 


Major Fuller, 


12 12 


Matthias Hutchinson, - 


4 13 


Solomon Legare, 


8 5 


Francis Nicholson, 


1 


Benjamin Wish, - - . 


7 7 


Israel Joseph, - - - 


3 


Michael Lazarus, - - - 


1 10 


Barnard Young, 


10 


Thomas Eustace, - - - 


10 


Milchar Warley, 


5 15 


BuUiott, - . . . 


10 


John Laughton, 


5 


Stephen Devall, - - - 


7 7 


William Clarkson, 


1 12 


Edward Dempsey, 


12 12 


Mrs. Kinlock, - 


4 2 6 


Benjamin Warring, 


25 


Jeremiah Theus, 


5 


Elizabeth Coon, - - - 


12 12 


Robert Sherman, 


10 


John Boyd, - - - - 


10 2 


Charles S. Stocker, - 


7 7 


Charles Reily, - - - 


12 12 


Charles Grimball, 


50 


Patrick Hinds, 


50 


William Millar, 


12 12 


Robert Clarke, . . - 


5^0 


William Creighton, - 


2 17 6 


John FuUarton, - - - 


8 17 


Georgia. 




[Sterling, £ s. d. 


Doct. Stout, of Sunbury, 


10 


His Excellency James Wright, 


5 


Hon. James Habersham, 


2 


Rev. John Joachim Zubly, 


10 



222 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



[Sterling, £ 



Capt, James Habersham, paid, 

" " " subscribed, 

Jobn Stirk, - - - - 
Benjamin Stirk, 
Doct. James Cuthbert, - 
Hon. Jona. Bryan, Esq., 



1 

5 
10 
20 

5 
10 



s. d. 









Capt. Samuel Green, 

Lieut. Thomas Bull, - 

Ensign Daniel Savage, - 

Sergeant Philimon Parmenter, 

Isaac Parmenter, 

Benjamin Parmenter, 

John Parmenter, Sen., 

Jacob Neal, - - - - 

Francis Martin Angele, 

Richard Bland, 

Thomas Scott, - 

Henry Toomer, 

Lancelot Bland, 

John Gregory, 

James Welsh, - 

Philip Martin Angele, - 

Merideth Rich, 

Dominick Johnson, 

EUTAW. 

Col. Daniel Heyward, 
Capt. William Hazzard, 
John Giimball, - 

Chakleston. 
William Cuttins, - 
James Brisbane, 



33 
7 
5 
5 

10 
2 
5 
8 
3 
5 
5 
2 
3 
3 
1 
1 
3 
3 

20 

20 
5 

5 
20 








James Devereaux, Ass't Judge, 15 

Lachlura McGilvery, - 

Hon. Noble Wimberly Jones, Tr., 

Rev. Samuel Frink, 

Philip Box, Esq., 

Matthew Roach, Esq., - 

James Mossman, 

John Rae, Esq., - - - 

John Smith, Esq., 

William Spencer, - 

William Gibbons, 

Benjamin Andrews, 

John Stophins, . . - 

South Carolina. — Hilton Head. 

[South Carolina currency, £ s 





9 











2 


















[South Carolina currency, £ 

Charles Atkins, - - - 10 

Plowden Weston, - - 10 

John Beal, - - - - 3 

Richard Burhloe, - - 3 

John Gowrlay - - - 5 

James Hinds, ... 5 

Rebeckah Tubbs, - - ' - 2 

Doct. Isaac Chandler, - 3 
Abraham Walcutt, Hilton Head, 5 
Matthew Witter, of James Island, 5 

John Rivers, " " 10 

Isaac Rivers, " " 15 
Henry Smith, Esq., Goose Creek, 20 

Thomas Rivers, Jr., - - 50 

William Bee, Pon Pon, - 10 

Thomas Jones, Horse Shoe, - 7 

Josiah Pendarvis, " " - 25 

Samuel Boswood, Pon Pon, - 10 

Ezekiel Branford, " " 10 

John Bulhne, Stono, - 15 

William BuUine, " - - 7 

Robert and Sarah Cattle, - 20 

Capt. I. Ladson, Ashley River, 20 

Susanna Ballantine, Stono, - 2 

John Morris, - - - 12 

Doct. John Harrison, - - 50 

Georgetown. 

Joseph Brown, - - - 3 

Samuel Wragg, - - - 12 

John Dickey, ... 3 

William Dewett, - - - 5 

Pedee. 

Jehu Williams, - - - 100 

Alexander Mackintosh, Esq., 25 

John Chrisolme, - - - 3 

Richard Raines, Black Swamp, 6 

Claudius Pegues, Esq., - - 25 

Thomas Williams, - - 10 

William Pegues. - - - 20 

Thomas Wade, Esq., - 8 

John Jenkins, - - - 1 

Ely Kershaw, - - - 25 

Thomas Lide, ... 5 

Benjamin Rogers, - - 20 

Phihp Pledger, Esq., - - 5 

George Hicks, - - - 20 

Sarah James, - - - 12 



s. d. 





13 6 






13 6 







7 




7 

13 



12 


2 
12 

2 




2 
4 



2 
7 
4 

15 


15 


12 



EAELY SUBSCEIPTIONS. 



223 



[South. Carolina currency, £, 

5 

1 

22 

20 

7 

10 

5 

5 

5 

25 

12 

20 

1 

15 

10 

25 

5 

5 

1 



Hugh Dillon, - 

Magnus Cargill, 

Rev^. Nicholas Bedgegood, - 

William Dewitt, 

John Mackintosh, 

Howell James, 

William Tarral, 

Abel Edwards, 

William James, 

Thomas Evans, 

Thomas James, - - - 

Arthur Hart, 

John Davies, 

Thomas Edwards, 

Charles McCall, - 

John Kimborough, 

James Dozer, 

Rev. Evan Pugh, 

Manuel Cox, 

Samuel Eussel, - - - 

Robert Lide, 

Martin Cobb, - - - 

Benjamin James, - 

Thomas Wiggins, 

James Thomson, Swift Creek, 

Charles Dewett, 

Lewis Perkin, Swift Creek, 

Robert Thomson, " 

John Chisnut, Camden, 

Capt. Isaac Ross, " 

Capt. John Canty, " 

Benjamin Hart, Wateree, - 

Capt. Henry Hunter, " 

Joseph Kirkland, " 

Thomas Sumter, Santee, 

Doct. Joseph Howard, " 

Anthony Pouney, - 



s. d. 


11 

1 

7 




1 

5 
1 
1 

25 

10 
5 
5 

12 
5 
5 

16 
7 
5 

10 
7 

20 













12 





10 








4 











11 


11 





11 


11 














12 


15 


15 


9 4 





15 





7 




Charleston. 

[South. Carolina currency, j6 d. s. 

Hon. Joseph Kershaw, Camden, 8 10 8 

Moses Lindo, - - - 2C 

John Savage, Esq., - - 20 

Doct. John Swint, - - 10 

Nathaniel Fuller, Ashley River, 20 

John Screven, James Island, 10 

William Axson, Jr., - - 5 

William Morgan, - - 14 14 

Josiah Smith, Jr., - - 25 

Susanna Baddeley, - - 3 2 

Daniel Stephens, - - - 5 

Joseph Marrion, - - 5 

William Fitch, Sen., - - 20 

William Fitch, Jr., - - 10 

Augustine Stillman, - - 10 
Capt. James Matthews, of Boig 

Sally, - - - - 3 13 

Torrans, Poaug & Co., - 10 

Joseph Creighton, - - 3 10 

Summary. 
Charleston, - - -1,841 16 

Hilton Head, - - - 100 2 

Eutaw, - - - - 45 15 

Georgetown, - - - 18 16 

Pedee, - - - - 640 3 
Georgia £147 15s. sterling, 

equal in S. C currency to 1,034 5 

Total, - 
Received in South Carolina, 
" Georgia, 

Total, - 
Balance due in S. Carolina, 
" " Georgia, 

Total, - - - 1,316 17 



3,680 17 
2,136 10 

227 10 


6 
6 



2,364 
510 2 
806 15 


6 





1769. November 20, remitted to Rev. John Gano, bill of exchange on 
Lawrence Kortright, merchant in New York, drawn by Savage & 

Legare, £200 New York money, which is - - - - £800 

1770. January 4, remitted to Rev. Samuel Stillman, bill of exchange 
on Thomas Russell, merchant in Boston, drawn by Torrans, Poaug 

& Co., £40 sterling, which is 280 

1770. February 8, ditto, bill of exchange on Nathaniel Coffin, Esq., in 

Boston, drawn by John Morris, Esq., £50 sterling, which is 350 



224 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

1770. March 30, remitted to Rev. John Gano, bill of exchange on 
Lawrence Kortright, merchant in New York, drawn by Savage & 
Legare, 2141 dollars, which is £332 5 7^ 

1770. April 2, ditto, bill of exchange on Messrs. Greg, Cunningham 
& Co., merchants in New York, drawn by Torrans, Poaug & Co., 

£75 sterling, which is 525 

Total amount remitted, - - - - - - 2,287 5 7* 

Hezekiah Smith to account for 76 14 101 

Total received, • - 2,364 6 

Total amount subscribed, 3,680 17 6 

John Alran, Pedee, - - -- - - - -. 500 

Gid. Gibson, " - 20 

John Hitchcock," 500 

Total, South Carolina currency, £3,710 17 6 

The following is a true copy of what was inserted in the 
South Carolina newspapers : — 

The subscriber begs leave, in this iDublic manner, gratefully to return his humble 
and hearty thanks to the benefactors of Rhode Island College, whom he has met with 
since his first arrival in this Province. And as he expects to leave the Province soon, 
those gentlemen who were so kind as to promise to send their benefactions for the Col- 
lege to him, at Rev. Oliver Hart's, may now have an opportunity before his departure. 

Hezekiah Smith. 
N. B. I shall leave a list of the subscribers names, together with their benefactions, 
in the hands of Mr. David Williams. So that each benefactor may hereafter see that 
his donation goes towards making up the sum I have collected since my arrival here. 

Here follows a copy of what was inserted in the Georgia 

Gazette: — 

Hezekiah Smith, sensible of the kindness he met with when in Georgia, begs leave 
to present his sincere thanks to the benefactors of Rhode Island College in that place ; 
any of whom, by applying to Benjamin Stirk, Esq., (in whose hands is lodged the 
subscription paper,) may see that his donation goes towards making up the sum he 
collected and got subscribed there. 

The following, which we take from a Charleston paper, dated 
October 26, 1769, does not appear to be mentioned in this inter- 
esting document of Mr. Smith's : — 



EARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 



225 



In the sloop Sally, Capt. Peter Schermerborn, from New York, who arrived here 
last Friday, came no less than forty-five passengers; amongst them, John Smith, Esq., 
and Mrs. Smith, of New York ; Capt. Elijah Steel, Mr. Thomas Ivers, of this place ; 
and the Rev. Hezekiah Smith, who, we hear, is commissioned to solicit benefactions 
towards establishing a College at Warren, in Rhode Island Government, while such a 
necessary institution is entirely neglected here. Surely, charity should begin at home. 

The account submitted by Mr. Smith to the Corporation, at a 
meeting held in Providence, Thursday, September 6, 1770, is as 
follows : — 



Dr. 



Rhode Island College in account with Hezekiah Smith. 



1770. April 17. To five bills of 

exchange remitted at sundry 

times, - . - . 2,287 5 71 
To £8 per cent, given for bill of 

exchange of £30 sterling,pur- 

cbased of Ambrose Wright, 

in Georgia, £48 sterling, 16 16 

To my necessary expenses, as 

per account, added, - - 208 12 6 
To cash gained upon a bill 

drawn upon Lawrence Kort- 

right, in New York, of 214 1 



dollars. 


H. 


Smith, 


10 14 


4^ 




2,523 8 


6 


To balance due 
per contra. 


as 

- £29 13 


7^ 



1770. April 17. By cash receiv- 
ed of sundry benefactors in 
South Carolina, as per ac- 
count rendered, - - 2,136 10 
By ditto, received in Georgia, 227 10 
By cash gained upon a bill 
drawn upon Lawrence Kort- 
right, in New York, of 214f 
dollars, . - . - 
By cash received upon the bills 
drawn upon Lawrence Kort- 
right, and Messrs. Greg, Cun- 
ningham & Co., in N. York, 
to help bear my expenses. 



Cr. 

d. 



10 14 4:i 



By balance due H. Smith, 



119 

2,493 14 lOj 
29 13 7i 

£2,523 8 6 



Whereupon it was voted : — 

That the accounts presented by the Rev. Hezekiah Smith, of the donations and 
subscriptions by him received in the provinces of South Carolina and Georgia, be 
accepted, and that the Corporation highly approve of his conduct, and return him their 
hearty thanks for his great and generous services. 

Voted, also, that as Mr. Smith was long absent from his people, in the service of 
the Corporation, and his salary during that time would have amounted to sixty-six 
pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, that the Corporation would willingly make 
up the sum to him, but as he generously refuses to receive anything on that account 
more than a remission of his subscription of forty dollars to the College, the said 
29 



226 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

subscription is accordingly remitted, and the Corporation gratefully consider the 
remainder of said sum which he would have received for his salary, as a donation to 
the Institution. 

Voted, that the sum of twenty-nine pounds thirteen shillings and seven and one- 
half penco, South Carolina currency, due the Rev. Hezekiah Smith on settlement of 
his account, be paid him out of the Corporation treasury. 

It would thus appear that Mr. Smith succeeded in obtaining 
benefactions for the College to the amount of about twenty-five 
hundred dollars, a large sum of money at that early period. 
While the forty-five hundred dollars obtained by Mr. Edwards 
was constituted a permanent fund for the support of the Presi- 
dent, the money obtained by Mr. Smith was mostly expended 
upon the College buildings, agreeably to a suggestion made by 
Manning in his letter to Nicholas Brown, published in the preced- 
ing chapter. See pages 194-5. This we infer from the fact that 
in 1775, when Col. Bennet resigned his office as Treasurer, the 
■permanent funds of the College amounted to but £1,349 145 8d, 
lawful money, or about forty-five hundred dollars. Only a small 
part of the balance of subscriptions due, amounting, according 
to Mr. Smith's report, to £1,316 17^, South Carolina currency, 
was probably ever collected. 




ACCOUNT 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS 



1770-1862. 




"^m^"* 



UNIVERSITY HALE 



ERECTED IN 1770. 




the journal, or dairy of the Rev. Hezekiah Smith, occurs 
the first mention that we find of a College building. Un- 
der date of September 5, 1765, he thus writes: — 

I was with the Corporation at Newport which sat upon the College business, and 
was elected one of the Fellows of the College. Although hut part of the Corporation, 
we subscribed nineteen hundred and ninety-two dollars for the bdilding, and for 
endowing the College. 

This, it will be observed, was at the second annual meeting 
of the Corporation. The following extracts from the records, 
relate to the subject before us : — 



230 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

September 5, 1768. The Hon. Josias Lyndon, Esq., the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, 
Esq., the Hon. Samuel Ward, Esq., the President, Nicholas Easton, Esq., Nicholas 
Brown, Esq., and the Rev. Russell Mason, were appointed a committee to examine 
what place is most suitable to fix the College edifice upon, and to make report to the 
next annual meeting. 

This Committee reported Thursday, September 7, 1769, where- 
upon it was 

Voted, That the foregoing report be accepted. Resolved, That Sylvester Childs, 
Esq., Mr. John Brown, Capt. John Warren, and Mr. Nathan Miller, be a committee 
to purchase materials, agree for a suitable place to erect the edifice on, to take a deed 
for the same in behalf of the Corporation, and to carry said building into execution as 
soon as they can ; and that any three of them be a quorum ; and that they be empow- 
ered to solicit and receive subscriptions. 

September 8, 1769: Resolved, That the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq., Mr. 
Joseph Brown, and the Rev. John Davis, be a committee to draught instructions and 
prepare a model of the house proposed to be erected, which, if approved by the Corpo- 
ration, is to serve as directions to the committee appointed to carry the same into 
execution. 

Resolved, That Archibald Campbell, Esq., be added to the committee for placing 
the College edifice. 

The Committee appointed to draft instructions and prepare a 
model, etc., made the following report: — 

1st. That a suitable place be procured for erecting the College edifice on the easiest 
terms ; and that the title be indisputable ; and that proper and sufficient deeds of 
conveyance of said land be taken for the Corporation. 

2d. That the building do not exceed sixty-six feet long, and thirty-six feet wide, 
and three stories high; — that it be a plain building, the walls of best bricks and 
lime, the doors and window frames of red cedar ; — that there be a cupola for a bell ; — 
that the first building be so situated as to be one wing of the whole College edifice, 
when completed. 

3d. As there is a want of time at present, that a committee be appointed to 
furnish the committee for building with a complete draught of the whole building. 

4th. That the committee for building procure the best materials, on the best and 
easiest terms. 

5th. That the committee for building make provision this year, that the workmen 

may begin earlier in next. 

Stephen Hopkins, Joseph Brown, 

CI . 1 o ^^T/>rv JoHN DaVIS. 

September 8, 1769. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 231 

The foregoing report having been "read, considered, accepted 
and agreed to," it was 

Voted, That the Chancellor, the President, and Mr. Joseph Brown be a cammittee 
to prepare a complete model of the building, according to the report of the aforesaid 
committee, and deliver the same to the Committee for Building. 

Voted, That the Committee for Building be empowered to draw upon the Treas- 
urer for money from time to time to carry on said building, and that they render 
accounts to the Corporation at each of their meetings, which the Secretary is hereby 
ordered to notify successively in the public papers for three weeks before their meetings. 

Thursday, November 16, 1769 : Voted, That the President, Job Bennet, Esq., 
Mr. John Brown, Mr. John Warren, and Mr. John Jenckes, be a committee to fix a 
suitable place for building the edifice. 

Voted, That the Chancellor, Mr. John Brown, Mr. John Warren, and Sylvester 
Child, Esq., be a committee to carry on the building of the College edifice; and that 
the Treasurer empower the said committee to collect all such sums of money as have 
been or shall be subscribed towards carrying on said building ; and that these two com- 
mittees ascertain the model and bigness of the College edifice, and also the house for 
the President, and make report of their doings to the next meeting of the Corporation. 

This, it will be observed, was before the final decision to locate 
the College at Providence. On Friday, February 9, 1770, the 
day after the question of location had been settled, it was 

Voted, That the College edifice be built according to the following plan, viz. : 
That the house be one hundred and fifty feet long and forty-six feet wide, with a pro- 
jection of ten feet on each side, (ten by thirty,) and that it be four stories high. 

Resolved, That Mr. John Jenckes be added to the Committee for building the 
College edifice ; and that any three of them be a quorum, with power to act. 

The gentlemen appointed for carrying on the building, or in 
other words the Building Committee, consisting of Stephen Hop- 
kins, John Brown, John Warren, Sylvester Child, and John 
Jenckes, "appeared," says the record, "before the Corporation, 
and generously oifered to do the same without charging any 
commissions therefor." 

The President declined to be chairman of the committee on 
locating the building, and Mr. Joseph Russell was appointed in 



232 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

his stead. This committee, therefore, consisted of Joseph Russell, 
Job Bennet, John Brown, John Warren and John Jenckes. The 
lot selected for the building comprised originally about eight acres, 
and included a portion of the "home-lot" of Chad Brown, whom 
the late Moses Brown designates as " the first Baptist Elder in 
Rhode Island." It was for this reason purchased through the 
agency of the Brown family, in order that the College might 
stand on the " original house-lot or home-share, so called," of their 
pious ancestor.* The following extract from the Record of Deeds, 
Book 19, page 108, will be found interesting. It presents a clear 
and accurate account of the southern half of the original College 
lands: — 

To ALL PEOPLE TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME : We, John Brown and 
Moses Brown, both of Providence, in the County of Providence and Colony of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations, merchants, send greeting: — Know ye, that we, 
the said John and Moses Brown, for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred 
and thirty dollars, to us in hand already paid by the Trustees and Fellows of the 
College or University in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- 
tions in New England in America, the receipt whereof, by a discount out of the sums 
we have severally subscribed to the College, we do hereby acknowledge, have given, 
granted, bargained, sold, aliened, enfeoffed, conveyed, and confirmed, and by these 
presents do give, grant, sell, alien, convey, and confirm unto said Trustees and Fel- 
lows, and to their successors and assigns forever, one certain piece or parcel of land 
lying in the town of Providence, bounded *=**** which said piece of land contains 
about four acres, and became the property of us, said Moses and John Brown, by a 
deed of bargain and sale from Samuel Fenner, of Cranston, who received it as one of 
the legatees of Daniel Abbott, Esq., late of said Providence, deceased, who received 
the northerly third part thereof from his father, Daniel Abbott, by descent, who pur- 
chased the same of James Brown, who received it of his brother John Brown, the 
present grantor's great-grandfather, who received it by descent from his father Chad 
Brown, who was one of the original proprietors after the native Indians of whom it 
was purchased, and is the middle part of that which was his house-lot or home-share 
of land so called ; the other two-thirds being the middle part of the original house-lot 
or home-share of Greorge Rickaid, since called John Warner's, which part was con- 

* See Mr. Brown's letter to President Wayland, page 207. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. ' 233 

veyed by the said Eickard to the said Chad Brown, from whom it descended to his 
aforesaid son John, who conveyed it to his brother Jeremiah Brown, who conveyed the 
same to the aforesaid Daniel Abbott, the elder, from whom it descended to Daniel 
Abbott, the younger, and became Samuel Fanner's as aforesaid : the whole of this 
piece of land making the southern half of the lot and highway leading to it whereon 
the College edifice is now erecting. 

The foregoing deed was signed August 1, 1770, by John 
Brown and his wife Sarah, Moses Brown and his wife Anna, and 
Stephen Hopkins, Chief Justice. It was recorded January 7, 
1771. The northern half of the lot, consisting of about four 
acres, was purchased by the Corporation, as per deed recorded in 
Book 19, page 106, of Oliver Bowen, of Providence, one of the 
legatees of Daniel Abbott, for the sum of four hundred dollars. 
Mr. Abbott, says the record. 

Took it by descent from his father Daniel Abbott, who received two-thirds part of 
it, being on the north side, from Bobert Williams, by deed of gift, who purchased it 
by deed of bargain and sale of Bobert Morrice, who purchased it of Daniel Abbott the 
first, who was an original proprietor after the native Indians. The other third part 
the second named Daniel Abbott purchased, by deed of bargain and sale, from his 
brother John Brown, who took it by descent from his father Chad Brown, who was the 
first proprietor after the Indians, the whole of this parcel of land making the northern 
half of the lot and highway leading to it; which hath been purchased to erect the 
College edifice upon. 

It will thus appear that Chad Brown owned two-thirds of the 
original College grounds. The " highway " leading from Benefit 
street to the lot, is now College street. Mr. Edwards describes 
the location as " remarkably airy, healthful, and pleasant ; being 
the summit of a hill pretty easy of ascent, and commanding a 
prospect of the town of Providence below, of the Narragansett 
Bay and the islands, and of an extensive country, variegated with 
hills and dales, woods and plains," etc. Surely, he adds, " this spot 
was made for a seat of the Muses." 

The plan or "model" adopted by the Building Committee and 
approved by the Corporation, was that of Nassau Hall, Princeton, 

30 



234 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

which was then regarded as one of the finest structures in the 
country. They broke ground on Tuesday, March 27, 1770, and 
on the 14th of May following, the corner stone of the new edifice 
was laid by John Brown. This, Mr. Howland states, was the first 
one laid in the foundation, at the bottom of the cellar wall, in the 
southwest corner of the building. Tradition adds that Mr. Brown, 
in accordance with the customs of the times, generously treated 
the crowd with punch, in honor of the joyful occasion. The 
progress of the building was greatly accelerated by the disturb- 
ances in Boston and the consequent interruptions of business, 
enabling the Committee to secure from that place an ample sup- 
ply of skillful workmen. 

President Manning, in writing to his friend the Rev. Dr. Sten- 
nett, of London, under date of June 7, 1770, thus describes the 
edifice : " The foundation of the College is now laid, and the 
building proceeds faster than could have been expected, its mag- 
nitude considered, which is one hundred and fifty by forty-six 
feet, with a projection in the middle of ten feet on each side (east 
and west sides, ten by thirty-three feet) for the public rooms. It 
is to be four stories high, with an entry of twelve feet through the 
middle of each, and is to be built of brick. It will contain fifty- 
six rooms in all. The town of Providence itself has nearly pro- 
vided for the building, as they have raised by subscription near 
four thousand pounds, lawful money, at six shillings per dollar. 
The beneficence of a few Baptists in this place, their fortunes 
considered, is almost unparalleled." 

Continuing our extracts from the records we find : — 

Thursday, April 26, 1770: Yoted, That Joseph Russell, David Harris, Esq., 
and Mr. Daniel Tillinghast, or the major part of them, be a committee to hire a suita- 
ble habitation for the President in Providence, until one can be built for him, and that 
it be at the charge of the Corporation. 

Thursday, September 6, 1770: Voted, That the Corporation do approve of 
what the Committee for building the College and the President's House have done 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 235 

in that business : — That they he empowered to continue to carry on said buildings in 
the best manner they can : — That they be empowered to cause the stones on the Col- 
lege lands to be made into wall, to fill up the holes from whence said stones were 
dug, and to move and repair the barn on said land, and to make such other improve- 
ments thereon as to them may appear to be necessary. 

Thursday, September 5, 1771 : The following report, with the annexed state of 
accounts, was presented to the Corporation : — 
Dr. The Collkge in account with Nicholas Brown & Co. Ck. 



1771. March 11. To sundry sup- 
plies, as per annexed account, £2,844 5 3 J 



£2,844 5 3i 



1771. March. 11. By sundry sub- 
scriptions received as per 
account rendered, - - £2,121 4 10 
By balance due to N. B. & Co. 623 5^ 



£2,844 5 3i 



We, the subscribers, being appointed by the Corporation of the College, at their 
meeting in April last, to audit the accounts of the Committee for building said 
College — 

Have, in obedience to said order, carefully examined their respective accounts, with 
the several vouchers thereto annexed ; and we find a balance from the subscribers for 
building said College due to Nicholas Brown & Co , of six hundred and twenty-three 
pounds five pence and one farthing, lawful money, agreeably to the above account 
current. 

And here upon this occasion, we think it our duty to inform all the benefactors to 
this Institution, that the materials for said College, appear to us to have been purchased, 
collected, and put together with good judgment, prudence and economy; and that this 
Committee, for their great application, disinterestedness and activity, are justly entitled 
to the thanks of every one who wishes well to so arduous and important an undertaking. 

Nicholas Cooke, Darius Sessions, 

Providence, March 1 1 , 1771. '^'^'^^^ ^^''^'^"- 

Which report, being read, was universally accepted and ordered to be recorded. 

Ordered, That the Secretary give a fair copy of the above report to each of the 
Committee for purchasing materials and building said College, as a testimony of their 
entire approbation of their conduct. 

The Hon. Nicholas Cooke, Hon. Darius Sessions and Mr. Joseph Russell are 
continued a committee to audit the accounts of the Building Committee from time to 
time as shall be thought necessary, with the understanding that they report to the 
next meeting of the Corporation. 

Up to March 11, 1771, the amount expended on the College 
edifice and the President's house, for the two buildings were 



236 BROWN UNIVEESITT. 

carried on together, and included in the subscriptions, was, as has 
already been stated, two thousand eight hundred and forty-four 
pounds, five shillings three and one-quarter pence, lawful money, 
equal to about nine thousand four hundred and eighty dollars. 
The original account of " sundry supplies " furnished by Nicholas 
Brown & Co., including all moneys expended by the Building 
Committee, is exceedingly full and minute, filling sixteen pages 
of folio ledger paper. Some of the items may interest the gen- 
eral reader as well as the antiquarian. They illustrate the pro- 
gress of the buildings, and throw light on the habits and customs 
of our fathers: — 

1770. Jan. 1. To cash paid Kobert Currie, for passage of Joseph Brown, 
Jonathan Hamman, and Zeph. Andrews to Cambridge, 
to view the colleges, 12 dollars, - - - -£3 120 
" " To cash, Joseph Brown paid the expenses in said journey, 2 16 

" "To John and Moses Brown's horses to Samuel Fenner's to 

purchase the lot for the College, and from thence to 
Jonathan Randall, Esq., and then to Tenner's again, 

in all seven miles, 53 

" " To John Brown's horse and ferriage to Elisha Burr's, in 

Rehoboth, to contract for brick, nine miles, - - 3 7 

" "To Nicholas Brown's horse to Jeremiah Williams, - 16 

" " To cash paid for the postage of a letter to the Corporation, 1 6 

1770. April 2. To cash, Zeph. Andrews paid for expenses in Boston, 

besides what Joseph Brown paid, - - - - 15 6j 
" 7. To postage of a letter from the Architect of Philadelphia, 1 4 
" 17, To paid Wm. Compton for calling a meeting of the sub- 
scribers, --- 26 

" "To paid ditto for his attendance at a meeting at the Court 

House, and bill, 30 

" "To refuge boards judged by Hamman to be worth, to stick 

boards on, etc., 40 

" " To one-quarter load of wood of N. B. to lay boards on, 16 

" May 17. To 3 qts. rum allowed Cole & John Jenckes, - - 18 

" 24. To 3 pts. rum allowed John Jenckes for the scow men, 10 

" 25. To Town scow two days fetching stones, ... 60 



COLLEGE BTJILDINGS. 237 

1770. May 25. To one-half day's work of Earle's negro, - - - 16 
" " To cash paid Comstock for one-half day's carting with three 

creatures, 3 

" June 1. To paid Henry Paget, Esq., for twelve and one-half day's 

work of his negro Pero, and bill at 3s, - - 1 17 6 

" * 9. To one wheelbarrow, new, but broke to pieces in the service, 10 6 

" 19. To paid James and Abraham Littlehale for one month's 

work of each at 30s, at the foundation, - - - 3 
" " To one pail allowed A. Cole for the people to carry water 

to drink in, 16 

" "To J gall. West India rum for the digging of the well, 1 9 

" " To 1 qt. ditto allowed by John Jenckes, - . . 10 

21. To i gall, ditto at twice for the well, - - - 2 

" 28. To J gall, rum for the well diggers, . - . . i 1 

" " To 1 gall. West India rum when laying the first floor, 3 6 

" Aug. 2. To 2 galls, ditto and 2 lbs. sugar, second floor, - - 8 

" 6. To 3 pints ditto allowed Simmons for " extraordinary 

services," 16 

" 21. To 2 galls, good rum and 2 lbs. sugar when raising the 

President's house, 98J 

" 25. To 4 galls. West India rum, very good and old, and 1 lb. 

sugar, third floor, 

" Sept. 14. To 4 galls, ditto and 1 lb. sugar, fourth floor, 
" " To 1 pt. ditto allowed the carpenters gratis, - - - 

" Oct. 9. To 71 galls, old West India rum and 2 lbs. sugar when 
raising the fifth floor, ...... 

" 13. To 3 galls. West India rum when raising roof, 

1771. Jan. 7. To cash paid Oliver Bowen for the College land, the remain- 

der, £30 15s Id, paid by John Jenckes, the whole £84, 53 4 5 
" " To 5 acres land bought of Samuel Fenner, at 90 dollars per 

acre, is £135; to one year's interest, 8s 2c?, - - 143 2 
" Feb, 7. To 1 box glass for President's house, - - - 3 3 

" "To paid Benjamin Mann, for setting seven squares glass in 

Mr. Snow's meeting house, broke at Commencement, 4 8 

" March 8. To paid Ebenezer Leland, for painting the College and 

President's house, 900 

From the foregoing account, it will appear, that the amount 
paid for the original College lands was four thousand three hun- 



15 7J 


14 7 


7 


8 4 


10 6 



238 



BROWN UNIVERSITY, 



dred and eighty pounds, or seven hundred and thirty dollars ; 
being about ninety dollars per acre, for what is now valued at 
one dollar, and upwards, per square foot. 

The last item of expenditure which we have copied from the 
original account, is for painting, March 8, 1771. The buildings 
had, therefore, at this date, approached completion. Dr. Stiles, 
in his diary, November, 1771, thus writes : — 

On Monday I went to visit the College, where five or six lower rooms are finished 
off". They have about twenty students, though none yet living in the College edifice. 

The amount of subscriptions paid, it appears, up to March 11, 
1771, was £2,221 4s 10c?, or about 1 7,404, leaving a balance due 
Nicholas Brown & Co., of $2,076. The following is the « College 
Credit," as exhibited by them in their account. We present it 
entire, as it includes the only list known to exist of the original 
subscribers for building the College edifice and the President's 
house. It will be observed that the names of all the subscribers 
are not included, but only of those who had paid, up to date :■. — 



1770. 

Richard Knight's subscription, 
Cash received of W. Wheaton, 

for lime, ... 
William Wheaton for lime. 
William Logan, 
Two hhds. lime of J. Jenckes, 
Two hhds lime of Doct. Jno. 

Jenckes, ... 

Jona. Jenckes, Jr., - 
Cash received of Job Bennet, 
" " Robert Stery, 

Ten squares glass, 8 by 10, 

sold Col. Wanton, - 
Benoni Pearce, . . - 
200 bricks, John Jenckes had, 
Warner & Tillinghast, - 
Mary Brown, wid. of Obadiah, 
Wilson Jacobs, - - - 
Gov. Wanton's subscription, 

paid in a Treasury note, 



£ s. 


d. 


2 8 







4. 


9 





2 8 





1 10 





110 





3 





16 4 





3 12 





6 





3 





4 


6 


416 





12 





2 10 






30 



1770. 

Seven squares glass, 8 by 10, 

for John Brown, 
One gallon W. I rum returned, 
Thirty-six feet 3 by 7 inch joist 

and do. 13 feet, charged to 

Jos. and Wm. Russell, 
One house plank, charged to 

brig Elizabeth, 
Elisha Mowry's subscription, 
Nich's Power, 220 ft. timber, 
Andrew Cole, for 24 feet refuge 

boards, . - - - 
Robert Carver's subscription, 
John Field's " 

Oliver Whipple's " 
Ezek Eddy's 
2500 shingles charged to John 

Smith and Bacon, at Ibd, 
Joshua Spooner's subscription, 
Cash received of Job Bennet, 



4 2^- 
3 6 



3 7J 



1 


3 


4 1 


3 


8 


3 




6 


6 





6 9 





4 8 





3 





1 17 


6 


3 15 





48 






COLLEGE 


BUILDINGS. 


2 


139 


1770. 


£, s. 


d. 


1771. 


£ s. 


d. 


John Fenner, 


3 





Lime and sand to mend mother's 






Oliver Fuller, 


1 10 





oven, - - - . 


1 





124 feet timber to David Harris, 


4 


8 


Col. John Waterman, 


815 





200 feet house plank to N. Brown 


9 





Abraham Belknap, 


5 





60 feet timber to Henry Bacon, 






Jacob Belknap, 


2 





at 3s 6d per foot, 


2 2 





Job Randall, - . - 


3 





Eph. Wheaton's subscription. 


4 





Abel Perry, 


2 8 





Messrs. Stewart & Taylor's do., 


416 





William Wheaton, 


51 





Isaac Brayton, - . - 


210 





Nathan Angell, 


15 





Samuel Thurber, 


6 8 





Molly Brown, for daughters of 






Samuel Thurber, Sen'r, - 


3 





Obadiah, - - - - 


15 





James OIney, 


3 





Jno, W^aterman, paper mill, 


6 





Clarke & Nightingale, - 


416 





Timothy Gladding's subscriptior 


I, 2 8 





Andrew Waterman, 


8 





Caleb Greene, - . - 


9 





John Peck, - - - 


3 





John Hoppin, - 


318 





John Smith, Jr., 


2 10 





White & Waterman, 


416 





1771. 






Thomas Sabin, - - - 


610 





Samuel Nightingale, Jr., 


12 





2,086 bricks, charged to Jno. 






John Batty, 


3 





Smith, at 18d, - 


117 


5 


Nicholas Clarke, 


410 





Daniel Lamed, 


2 8 





Nathanael Greene, 


5 





Jabez Bowen, Jr., 


60 





William Earle, ... 


12 





30 feet timber for sloop Caty, 






Jno. B. Hopkins, 


9 





at 3s 6d per 


1 


Oi 


James Field, - - - - 


2 10 





Mary Young, . . . 


6 





John Petty, _ . . 


3 16 





Daniel Thornton, 


1 4 





Greorge Brown, - ^ - 


4 4 





Joseph Arnold, - - - 


3 





Nathan Arnold, - 


2 8 





Edward Spaulding, - 


6 





Thomas and Benjamin Lindsey, 


10 





Samuel Young, - - - 


416 





Jas. Hoyle paid Wm. Wheaton, 


3 





Nicholas Cooke, Esq., 


45 





Paul Allen, - - - - 


2 16 





Benjamin Mann, 


15 





Marrin Simmons, 


3 





Edward Hawkins, 


3 15 





James Andrews, - - - 


1 4 





Ephraim Walker, - 


4 





Eleazer Hardin & Son, 


7 8 





p]phraim Peabody, 


215 





John Pitcher, 


3 15 





Joshua Hacker, - - 


3 10 





Christopher Arnold, 


3 





Knight Dexter, 


18 





George Make pace, - 


6 





Jona. Arnold, - - - 


14 





Simon Smith, - - - 


6 





Welcome Arnold, 


3 16 





8 lb. lead to make a hand-lead. 


2 





Daniel Jackson, - - - 


3 





Thurber & Cahoon, - 


46 





Elijah Bacon, - - - 


6 6 





2500 shingles to Edward Haw- 






Benjamin Waterman, Jr., 


2 8 





kins, at 15s, 


117 


6 


Job Smith, ... 


21 





William Chickley, 


3 





Abner Thayer, paid J. Smith, 


2 8 


0- 


Samuel Ingraham, - - - 


3 





David Harris, - - - 


30 





Christopher Williams, - 


3 





Thomas Greene, 


15 





Benjamin Whipple, 


1 4 





Jona. and Christ'r Olney, 


8 





Phineas Brown, - - - 


5 





Stephen Whipple, 


13 12 






240 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



1771. 

Dexter Brown, 

William Brown, - - - 

William Morris, 

Jona. Hamman, - - . 

James Sabin, 

Benjamin Stelle, 

What Jno. Jenckes paid Wil- 
liam Wheaton, 

Nicholas Power, - - _ - 

Lewis Bosworth, 

Benjamin Whipple, 

Daniel Whipple, 

Josiah King's subscription, 

Sylvanus Sayles, 

Thomas Bennet, - - - 

Jeremiah Brown, 

Henry Sterling, - . - 

Benjamin Coate's note, 

Jacob Whitman, - - - 

William Spencer, 

Abraham Winsor, 

Gideon Brown, - 

What J ohn Jenckes paid Jno. 
Smith towards brick, - 

Christopher Lippitt, - 

Rufus Hopkins, 

Stephen Colvin, 

Joseph Remington, 

Thomas Harris, 

James Arnold, - . - 

Ebenezer Thompson, - 

James Burrill, . - - 

Jona. Holden, - - - 

James Lovett, - - - 

Abraham Angell, 

Peter Randall, 

44 lbs. strips of lead cut by the 
carpenters, at 3d, 

Chad Brown, ... 

William Gully, 

Mortar, charged Wm. Wheaton 

James Barry, ... 

Amos Kimball, - - - 

Nicholas Brown's subscription, 200 

Charged Eleazer Harding for 
136 squares sash contained 



£ s. 


d. 


7 10 





2 8 





2 8 





6 





12 8 





7 10 





16 16111 


10 8 





2 10 





210 





1 





3 





7 16 





410 





6 





7 16 





4 





13 





110 





7 





3 





1116 


6 


5 





5 





2 8 





2 8 





3 





11 8 





8 8 





2 8 





110 





33 15 





12 





310 





11 





3 





3 





, 18 


7 


2 8 





2 8 





JOO 






in his bill vs. President's 
house, more than delivered, 
at 4s 4d, - 

Moses Brown's subscription, 

John Brown's " 

Joseph Brown, £100 ; the other 
£100 to be paid in philosoph- 
ical apparatus according as 
subscribed for, at the first 
cost, as soon as a proper place 
is provided to put t'hem in, 

The carting of the 26 boxes of 
glass as is contained in Dex- 
ter Brown's account, 

Zephaniah Andrews, 

Charles Angell, 

Benjamin Allen, ... 

James Arnold, Jr., - 

John Aplin, ... 

Richard Brown, 

Samuel Butler, ... 

James Burrough, 

Solomon Bradford, 

Samuel Coy, . . - 

Benjamin Gushing, 

Andrew Cole, ... 

Richard Collier, . - - 

John Fritton, ... 

Richard Godfrey, - . - 

Richard Eddy, - 

John Gibbs, ... 

James Greene, - - - " 

Levi Hall, . . . - 

Amos Horton, - - - 

Henry Jenckes, 

Christopher Jenckes, 

Seth Knap, - - - . 

Ebenezer Leland, 

Nathaniel Metcalf, 

Daniel Man ton, 

Allen Peck, ... 

Nathaniel Packard, - 

William Pearce, ... 

Peter Ritto, ... 

Jehu Smith, ... 

Jno. Jenkins, . . - 



£ s. d. 



2 8 2 
200 
200 



100 





2 12 





10 





1 





4 





4 





2 8 





210 





30 





3 





12 





2 8 





30 





3 





12 





3 





2 8 





3 





2 8 





110 





3 





5 





1 16 





116 





2 8 





2 8 





3 





6 





4 10 





2 8 





2 8 





1 4 





2 15 





3 






COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 



241 



1771. jB s. d. 

Jno. Smith, Cranston, - - 2 8 

Christopher Sheldon, - 9 

Jeremiah Scott, - - - 12 

Paul Tew, - - - 7 10 

Benjamin Tallman, - - 2 8 

Comfort Wheaton, - - 6 

Nathan Waterman, - - 2 8 

Jeremiah Whipple, - - 9 

Otis Whipple, - - - 410 

Nahum Wilder, - - 14 

David Whipple, charged Jere., 2 8 

Isaac Woodroof, - - - 2 8 

Oliver Bowen's subscription, 9 
John Smith the 3d do,, - -280 
Paid John Smith, towards brick 
by Jenckes, besides what is 

credited, 2 13 



1771. 



5833 shingles, charged of Rob- 
ert Carver the 11th of Sept., 
and afterwards charged in his 
whole bill, amounting to 
£64 5d, ... 



£ s. d. 



5 5 



Total, 

Deduct out of the foregoing 
subscriptions, the whole 
being not yet paid. 

Total, 



£1,958 2 81 



148 11 41 



£1,809 11 4 



Parts of sundry subscriptions 
received but not credited 
in this amount. 



Total, 



- 411 13 6 
£2,221 410 



Continuing our search among the records, we find : — 



Thursday, September 3, 1772. 
edifice shall be retained for that use. 



Voted, That the tiles for covering the College 



Whereas a sum of money is immediately wanted to defray the expense of slating 
the College edifice, it is resolved. That the Rev. John Gano be appointed to solicit 
donations for that purpose in this or the other colonies ; and that he be requested to 
proceed upon that business as soon as may be. 

Yoted, That the sum of five dollars be taken for the use of each room in the Col- 
lege edifice annually, from those who live in them. 

Thursday, September 2, 1773 : Voted and resolved. That the offer of the Sec- 
retary (Doct. Thomas Eyres) be accepted, that he would pay the interest of one 
hundred dollars for three years to any gentleman who will advance said sum towards 
finishing the rooms in the College edifice, after the balance in Mr. Howell's hands 
was expended, the Corporation being security for the original sum. 

Thursday, September 8, 1774 : Voted, That the thanks of this Corporation be 
presented to the Rev. John Gano, for his having used his best endeavors to promote a 
subscription for this College in the southern colonies; — that the manner in which he 
has proceeded is approved by the Corporation ; and he is hereby requested to proceed 
upon the same business in any other places and methods which he shall judge most 
beneficial towards the advancement of the College ; and the Secretary is ordered to 
give him a copy of this vote. 
31 



242 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

On Saturday, December 7, 1776, Sir Peter Parker, the British 
commander, with seventy sail of men-of-war, anchored in New- 
port harbor, landed a body of troops and took possession of the 
place. "The country," says President Manning, "immediately 
flew to arms and marched to Providence. There, unprovided 
with barracks, they marched into the College, and dispersed the 
students, about forty in number." From this time the College 
continued to be occupied for barracks, and afterwards for a hos- 
pital, by the American and French forces, until May 27, 1782, 
when the edifice was left in a most ruinous condition. " The 
Corporation," Manning continues, advanced out of their own 
pockets near one thousand dollars for the most necessary repairs, 
and ordered the course of education to recommence." March 4, 
1785, he writes, " Mr. John Brown is about finishing the third 
story, which we expect to want in the course of the year." From 
this it would seem that only two stories were finished at first. 
The fourth story was finished in 1788, as appears from the follow- 
ing records : — 

September 4, 1788 : Voted, That the Treasurer of this Corporation be author- 
ized to contract with such persons as may offer to furnish the fourth story of the 
College edifice, or any part of it, on such terms as he shall judge pre per. 

The following petition to the General Assembly, copied from 
a rough draft on file in the hand-writing of President Manning, 
will repay perusal. The friends of the College might well object 
to the building being put to such uses as are here set forth in 
detail. No date is found on the document, but the petition was 
probably presented in the year 1780. " President Manning," says 
Backus, referring to this period, " now engaged again in the work 
of education. But further interruptions were in store for him. 
On the 25th of June, 1780, while he was preaching at the church, 
it being Sunday, the College edifice was a second time seized, by 
the order of the council of war, for a hospital for the French 
troops, who held it until May 27, 1782":— 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 243 

The Petition of the members of the Corporation of Rhode Island College, whose 

names are hereunto annexed, humbly showeth : — 

That the College edifice was first taken in December, 1776, for the use of barracks 
and an hospital for the American troops, and retained for that use until the Fall before 
the arrival of his most Christian Majesty's fleets and armies in this State ; — that, by 
our direction, the President resumed the course of education in said College, and took 
possession of the edifice on the 10th of May, 1780 ; and continued so to occupy it 
until the authority of this State, in a short time after, granted it to the French army 
as an hospital, who continued to hold and use it for said purpose until the last week, 
when the Commissary of War of the French army delivered it up, with the keys, to 
his Honor the Deputy Governor ; they having previously permitted the officers of the 
French ships in this State to place their sick in it, who still continue there ; — that the 
building was in good repair, and occupied by upwards of thirty students when first 
taken for the public service; — that great injury hath been done to every part of it 
since taken out of the hands of the Corporation ; especially by two buildings adjoining 
it, one an house of offal at the north end, with a vault fifteen feet deep under it, 
having broken down the wall of the College to facilitate the passage of the invalids 
from the edifice into it ; from which addition the intolerable stench renders all the 
northern part uninhabitable ; and the other an horse stable, built from the east projec- 
tion to the north enrl , by which the house is greatly weakened ; many of the windows 
are also taken entirely out of the house, and others so broken, as well as the slate on 
the roof, that the storms naturally beat into it. As your Honors must be sensible that 
the interests of literature in this State must generally suffer, as well as the building 
erected for its promotion ; and the Corporation conceiving that there cannot be the 
shadow of a reason for detaining any longer the College edifice from them, who now 
want to apply it immediately to the uses for which it was erected, do request the 
Legislature to deliver them the house, and order all their buildings taken down and 
removed from the College lots, such repairs as are absolutely necessary to be made 
at the public expense ; and to pass an order that it shall not again be appropriated as 
an hospital or barracks. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 

At the annual meeting of the Corporation in 1783, it was 

Resolved, That an application be made to his most Christian Majesty to patronize 
this College ; and that the President, Rev. Mr. Stillman and Doct. Waterhouse be a 
committee to draught a petition to him for this purpose. 

At a special meeting held January 7, 1784, quoting from the 
records, 

The address to his most Christian Majesty, drawn up by the Rev. Samuel Stillman 
and Doct. Benjamin Waterhouse, was read and approved. 



244 BEOWN UNTVEESITY. 

Voted, That the Chancellor, the President, Hon. Jabez Bowen and Doct. Solomon 
Drown, be a committee to draught a letter to Doct. Benjamin Franklin, to accompany 
the address to his most Christian Majesty. 

The address to whicli reference is here made, is given entire 
in Manning and Brown University, pp. 401-3. The following, 
copied from, a rough draft of the letter to accompany the address, 
deserves a place here, not only from its connection with the his- 
tory of University Hall, but also from its statements respecting 
the history and condition of the College : — 

Sir: — In compliance with the request of the Honorable the Corporation of the 
College at Providence in the State of Rhode Island, transmitted in their vote of the 
7th of September last, we take the liberty to inform your Excellency that the College 
under their direction was founded in 1764, and received the small endowment of which 
it is now possessed solely from the beneficence and contributions of individuals, the 
government not being sufficiently impressed with an idea of the importance of literature 
to afford its patronage or lend it any further assistance than that of granting it a 
charter. With these small beginnings, however, at the commencement of the late war 
the Corporation had the pleasure to see that beautiful edifice erected on the hill at 
Providence, and upwards of forty students matriculated, together with a large Latin 
school as a nursery to supply it with scholars. The whole endowment consisted of 
one thousand pounds, lawful money, as a fund, besides the lot of six acres of land.* 
At that period the young Institution was speedily growing in reputation as well as 
in number of scholars. But on the arrival of the enemy in that State, in the year 
1776, it was seized by the public for barracks and an hospital for the American army, 
and continued to be so occupied until a little before the anival of the armaments of his 
most Christian Majesty, upon which it was again taken out of the hands of the Corpo- 
ration by an order of government, and delivered up to our allies for the same uses to 
which it had been applied by the American army. They held it till their army marched 
for the Chesapeake. To accommodate it to their wishes they made great alterations in 
the building, highly injurious to the designs of its founders. This, with the damages 
done to it by the armies of both nations while so occupied, subjected the Corporation 

* The College lands originally comprised eight acres, according to the recorded deeds and 
the "College Credit" submitted by Nicholas Brown & Co. to the Corporation in 1771. See 
pages 232-3 and 237-8. The highway thereto, which is now a part of College street, was 
of course included in these eight acres. The writer speaks of the "lot" without probably 
taking into account the "highway." The funds, it may be added, amounted at this time 
to more than one thousand pounds, as will appear in a succeeding chapter. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 245 

to a heavy expense to repair it ; and that when the deranged state of our finances 
prevented us from making scarcely any advantage of the interest of our little fund in 
the State treasury. Having at their own expense made the repairs, they applied first 
to the Legislature of the State, and repeatedly to Congress for some compensation ; 
but have not been able to obtain the least assistance. Thus circumstanced they think 
it their duty to solicit the patronage of his most Christian Majesty in the manner they 
have done in the memorial which accompanies this letter. 

We have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that there are upwards of fifty 
students now belonging to the College, with flattering prospects of an increase. 

The above is a brief account of the origin and present state of the College at 
Providence. We only add, that this Institution embraces in its bosom and holds out 
equal privileges to all denominations of protestants ; and its Corporation, agreeably to 
charter, is, and must forever be composed of some of all denominations of Christians. 

We have the honor to be, Sir, your very humble servants. 

After many and fruitless applications to Congress by the 
President and Corporation, for remuneration on account of 
damages and loss of rent, all of which we have detailed in our 
former work, an act was passed by the United States govern- 
ment, April 16, 1800, entitled, 

An Act for the Relief of the Corporation of Rhode Island College. 
Be IT ENACTED, ctc, That the accounting officers of the Treasury be, and they are, 
hereby authorized and directed to liquidate and settle the claims of the Corporation of 
Rhode Island College, for compensation for the use and occupation of the edifice of 
said College, and for injuries done to the same, from the tenth day of December, one 
thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, to the twentieth day of April, one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty, by the troops of the United States ; and that the sum which 
may be found due to the said Corporation for damages done to and occupation of the 
said edifice, as aforesaid, be paid them out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated. 

How much compensation the College finally received, we are 
unable at present to determine. Dr. Benedict, in his History, 
states it to have been two thousand dollars. 

In January, 1823, this venerable edifice received the name of 
University Hall, by a special vote of the Corporation. In 1850, 
important changes were made in the interior of the building. 



246 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

The old chapel, the walls of which had so long resounded with 
the voices of eloquence and the utterances of prayer and praise, 
was converted into recitation-rooms. The dining hall too, where 
the stewards of a former day were accustomed to preside during 
the hours for meals, with all the dignity of their position, was 
remodelled, while "commons," in accordance with the progressive 
spirit of the age, were abolished. And recently the long and spa- 
cious entry halls, where mischievous students too often delighted 
in midnight revels, have been disfigured by the introduction of 
suitable partitions. In this instance utility and expedience have 
been consulted rather than beauty, and a regard for time-honored 
associations. 

The President's house, we may add in conclusion, which for- 
merly stood on the College Green directly in front of Manning 
Hall, was removed in 1839, and the new and elegant mansion on 
the corner of Prospect and College streets was erected in its place. 





Joseph]; I- 



BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE. 



ERECTEB IN 1775. 




^^OVERNOR WiNTHROP, under date of March 16, 1639, states 
that Roger WiUiams " was rebaptized by one Holliman, a 
poor man. late of Salem. Then Mr. Williams rebaptized him and 
some ten more." For more than sixty years the church thus 
founded held meetings in the open air, or worshipped beneath 
the friendly shelter of groves and trees. There was no public 
building at this time in the town even for civil purposes. After 
Philip's war, in June, 1676, the annual town-meeting was held, 
says Staples, "before Thomas Field's house, under a tree, by the 
water-side." 

In the year 1700, the Rev. Pardon Tillinghast, the minister of 
the church, built at his own expense a meeting-house, on a lot 
near the corner of North Main and Smith streets. This house 
and lot he afterwards generously deeded to the church. The 
building, according to tradition, was small and rude, "in the shape 
of a hay-cap, with a fire-place in the middle, the smoke escaping 
from a hole in the roof." 

At the time of President Manning's removal to Providence 
the church, which consisted of but one hundred and eighteen 
members living widely apart, were worshipping in a small house 
thirty-five by forty-one feet in dimensions, erected in the year 
1726. A brief description of the building and of the mode of 
worship, which we find in Stone's " Life and Recollections of John 
Rowland," may be appropriately introduced in this connection: — r- 



248 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

At high water the tide flowed nearly up to the west end of the building. ^ =* * 
From the front door, opening on Main street, an aisle extended to the pulpit, which 
was raised three or four steps from the floor. On each side of the aisle - benches 
extended north and south to the walls of the house, and there were benches in the 
gallery, which was entered by narrow stairs from a door on the south side of the house. 
* # # They did not approve of singing, and never practiced it in public worship. 
When more than one elder was present, and the first had exhausted himself, he would 
say : " There is time and space left if any one has further to offer." In that case, 
another and another would offer what he had to say ; so there was no set time for 
closing the meeting. * * * The house could not contain a large congregation, nor 
did the number present seem to require a larger house, as they were not crowded, 
though many of them came in from the neighboring towns on horseback, with women 
behind them on pillions. 

Under the pastoral care of Manning the church and society 
greatly increased in numbers and efficiency, so that ere long it 
became necessary to erect a new house of worship. With a view 
to the accommodation of the College, it was determined to build 
it in such a style of elegance, and of such dimensions, that it 
should surpass any edifice of the kind connected with the 
Baptist denomination in the colonies. 

In looking over the records of the society, we find that, at a 
meeting held at the house of Mr. Daniel Gaboon, on Friday 
evening, February 11, 1774, it was 

Resolved, That we will all heartily unite as one man, in all lawful ways and 
means, to promote the good of this society ; and particularly attend to and revive the 
afiair of building a meeting-house for the public worship of Almighty God, and also 
for holding Commencements in. 

In accordance with this resolve, the society, with unanimity 
and promptness, entered upon the prosecution of their labors. 
A committee of two persons, Messrs. Joseph Brown and Jonathan 
Hammond, were immediately appointed to proceed to Boston, 
" in order to view the different churches there, and to make a 
memorandum of their several dimensions and forms of architec- 
ture." The old house and lot were sold at public auction, and 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 249 

the present spacious lot, bounded by Thomas, Benefit, President 
and North Main streets, was purchased of Mr. John Angell. In 
this latter transaction very important service appears to have 
been rendered by Mr. William Russell.* 

According to a letter from Mr. Moses Brown, published in a 
previous chapter, (pages 207-10,) it appears that the church in 
its earlier periods was of the "Six Principle" order, so called, 
and that at this time a separation took place, a part of the mem- 
bers, under the guidance of Elder Winsor, contending for the 
practices and usages of their fathers, and the remainder adhering 
to Manning, and the views more generally entertained by the 
Baptist denomination at the present day. The money obtained 
from the sale of the old house and lot being divided between the 
two parties, the former built a house in Johnston upon the plain, 
and established a "Six Principle" church. 

On the 25th of April, 1774, at a meeting of the Society, of 
which Dr. Manning was Moderator, and Benjamin Stelle, Clerk, 
it was resolved : — 

1. That a petition be presented to the honorable General Assembly, praying that a 
charter, containing certain privileges and immunities, may be granted to the Baptist 
society in Providence. 

2. That the Rev. James Manning, Ephraim Wheaton, Nicholas Brown, David 
Howell, and Benjamin Thurber be a committee to draft a plan of a charter, and pre- 
sent the same to the society for approbation as soon as may be. 

3. That Mr. John Brown be the committee man for carrying on the building of 
the new meeting-house for said society. 

4. That Messrs. John Jenckes, Daniel Cahoon, Ephraim Wheaton, Nathaniel . 
Wheaton, Daniel Tillinghast, Joseph Brown, William Russell, Edward Thurber, 
Nicholas Brown, Christopher Sheldon, and Benjamin Thurber, they or the major part 

* Judge Staples in his "Annals," gives the tradition that Mr. Angell, who was a " Gor- 
tonian and the last of the sect," would not sell his orchard for a Baptist meeting-house for 
any consideration. It is certain, from the records, that Mr. Russell first hought the land by- 
request, and then conveyed it to the Society. Being an Episcopalian in his religious views, 
and a wealthy merchant, the owner of the land would naturally suppose that it was wanted 
for a private residence, rather than for the use to which it was put. 
32 



250 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

of them, be a standing committee to assist and advise with Mr. John Brown, in locat- 
ing and carrying into execution the building of the new meeting-house. 

Thus, while a large committee of eleven was chosen for assist- 
ance and advice, the carrying on of the building, and the execu- 
tion of the plan was wisely left to a committee of one. There 
was hence a unity of purpose, and a success in the final results, 
which a large and divided committee could never have attained. 
In this matter our fathers have left on record an example which 
societies of the present day may do well to imitate. It is pleas- 
ing to notice in this record, the imlimited confidence reposed 
in the abilities and discretion of Mr. Brown. Had there been 
informers in those days of trial and peril, the large reward offered 
by the British government for the apprehension of the leader in 
the destruction of the Gaspee, might have seriously interferred 
with the plans of the society. 

In order to defray the additional expense of purchasing a lot, 
and of building a house sufficiently large to accommodate the 
College, recourse was had to a lottery. This was in accordance 
with the universal practice in Rhode Island and throughout 
the colonies, at this period. The lottery was divided into six 
classes, the time and place of drawing which were notified from 
time to time in the Providence Gazette. Eleven thousand nine 
hundred and seventy tickets were sold, at prices ranging from 
two and one-half to five dollars each. The sum proposed to be 
raised by this scheme was two thousand pounds, lawful money, 
or about seven thousand dollars. The managers appointed by 
the General Assembly, were Nicholas Brown, John Jenckes, 
William Russell, Benjamin Thurber, Edward Thurber, Nathaniel 
Wheaton, Daniel Tillinghast, William Holroyd, James Arnold, 
and Nicholas Power. In their announcement of June 25, 1774, 
they ask for the 

Cheerful assistance and encouiagement of the public, especially when it is consid- 
ered that this is the first time the Baptist society have solicited their assistance in this 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 251 

way, which they can assure thera would not now have been the case had they not 
purchased as much more Lmd, and designed a house as much larger than the society 
required for their own use (purposely to accommodate public Commencements), as will 
amount to the full sum proposed to be raised by this lottery. 

On Monday, August 29, was the "raising" of the new meeting- 
house, due notice of which had been given in the papers. A 
large crowd assembled, and the occasion seems to have been 
made a general holiday throughout the town. 

During the following year the house was so far completed 
that it was occupied by the society. It was opened for public 
worship on Sunday, May 28, 1775, when Dr. Manning preached 
the dedication discourse, from Genesis xxviii, 17: — "And he was 
afraid, and said. How dreadful is this place ! this is none other 
but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." On Tues- 
day, June 6, the raising of the steeple, which occupied nearly 
four days, was finished. The plan of this most elegant piece of 
architecture was taken from the middle figure in the thirtieth 
plate of Gibbs's " Designs of buildings and ornaments," represen1> 
ing the steeple of St. Martin's in the Fields, one of the finest 
churches in London.* It measures one hundred and eight feet 
from the top of the tower, and one hundred and eighty-five 
feet from the ground to the top of the vane. The total height 
of the steeple is one hundred and ninety-six feet. The house 
itself is eighty feet square. The roof and galleries are supported 
by twelve fluted pillars, of the Doric order. The weight of the 
original bell was two thousand five hundred and fifteen pounds, 
and upon it was the following motto : — 

For freedom of conscience the town was first planted ; 

Persuasion, not force, was used by the people ; 
This church was the eldest, and has not recanted, 

Enjoying, and granting, bell, temple, and steeple. f 

*See Knight's " London Illustrated," volume V., page 195. 

t Dissenters in Great Britain were not allowed to have steeples or bells to their churches. 
To this prohibition reference is undoubtedly had in this inscription. 



252 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

Fronting each of the four streets that surround the house is 
a door, and fronting Benefit street are two doors. Thus on Com- 
mencement days, and on other pubHc occasions, it can be readily 
vacated. Mr. Joseph Brown, a member of the church, was the 
principal architect, and Mr. James Sumner* superintended the 
building. The entire expense of the edifice and lot was upwards 
of twenty-five thousand dollars. When we consider the value 
and scarcity of money in those days, the perils and dangers of 
an impending war with the mother country, and also the fact that 
Providence was then a small town, containing, when the building 
was commenced, a population of only four thousand three hun- 
dred and twenty-one, according to the official numeration of the 
inhabitants, we are amazed at the genius which could conceive, 
and the energy, enterprise, and skill which could successfully 
complete so great an undertaking. Even at the present day, the 
venerable structure, with its tall, graceful spire, and its spacious 
enclosure, shaded by stately elms, constitutes one of the chief 
attractions of the city. In the beginning and progress of this 
enterprise, we have an illustration of the remarkable influence 
which Manning must have exerted over the people of his care. 

Sunday morning, May 28, 18G5, just ninety years after the 
first dedication of the house, the Eev. Dr. Caldwell, pastor of the 
church, preached an historical discourse which was afterwards pub- 
lished. An extract from this discourse may fitly close the present 
account : — 

You can follow the eighty-two commencements with which this house is associated 
in the memory of so many children of the College ; you would like to review the great 
public events which have been here commemorated, — the treaty of peace in 1783, the 
adoption of the constitution in 1789, the death of Washington in 1800 ; the civic and 

*Mr. Howland states, (Stone's Life, etc., page 37,) ttat the Boston Port Bill drove many- 
carpenters and masons away from that town, who came to Providence and were employed 
upon the meeting-house ; and that Mr. Sumner, who superintended the erection of the 
steeple, was one of them. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 253 

religious occasions, when, in praise and prayer, when, in jubilee or humiliation, the 
people have here, as in some common temple, acknowledged the God of power and of 
mercy. 

There are the common as well as uncommon days and Sabbaths ; the words of how 
many lips, once eloquent with authority or persuasion, now hushed in death. What a 
history is enclosed within these walls ! What a shadowy procession of persons and 
events going in and out here, — funerals and weddings and baptisms; sermons whose 
memory lingers yet, whose influences will never die ; and then the more spiritual and 
interior events and experiences which have passed through the souls of these three 
generations ; the souls which have here bowed to the authority of God, and melted 
into love before the Saviour's cross here lifted up to faith ; the vows, uttered and unut- 
tered, in which they have given themselves to God and to duty ; the viewless winds of 
the Spirit breathing here, and leaving blessed fruits which ripen glorious and abun- 
dant in the house not made with hands ! 

The fine steel engraving accompanying the present sketch 
was designed, it may be added, by James S. Lincoln, an artist of 
Providence, and engraved by Messrs. G. G. Smith and J. W. 
Watts, of Boston. 




UNIVERSITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 



ERECTED IN 1810. 



the month of April, 1764, the Rev. James Manning, as 
3- we have already stated in our Historical Sketch, opened a 
Latin School in the town of Warren, Rhode Island, with a view 
to the beginning of college instruction. This School, therefore, 
was the germ of the future College. In 1770, it was removed to 
Providence, and for two years was carried on in one of the cham- 
bers of the Brick School House, so called, now the Meeting Street 
Grammar School. The first allusion that we find concerning it, 
after its removal, appears in the Gazette, in an account of the first 
Commencement held in Providence : — "The business of the day 
being concluded, and before the assembly broke up, a piece from 
Homer was pronounced by Master Billy Edwards, one of the 
Grammar School boys, not nine years old." This Edwards was a 
son of the Rev. Morgan Edwards, one of the founders of the 
College. He graduated in 1776, at the early age, it appears, of 
fourteen. In 1772, the School was removed to a room on the 
lower floor of the new College edifice, as we learn from the fol- 
lowing notice, which was also published in the Gazette : — 

Whereas several gentlemen have requested me to take and educate their sons, this 
may inform them, and others disposed to put their children under my care, that the 
Latin School is now removed, and set up in the College edifice ; where proper attention 
shall be given, by a master duly qualified, and those found to be the most effectual 
methods to obtain a competent knowledge of grammar steadily pursued. At the 
same time, spelling, reading, and speaking English with propriety, will be particularly 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 255 

attended to. Any who cbooge their sons should board in commons, may be accommo- 
dated at the same rate with the students, — six shillings per week being the price. 
And I flatter myself that such attention will be paid to their learning and morals as 
will entirely satisfy all who may send their children. All books for the School, as well 
as the classical authors read in College, may be had, at the lowest rate, of the subscriber, 
Providence, July 10, 1772. ^^''^^ Manning. 

The following year, May 20, 1773, President Manning thus 
writes to his friend the Rev. John Ryland : " I have a Latin 
School under my care, taught by one of our graduates, of about 
twenty boys." This graduate was the Rev. Ebenezer David, of 
the class of 1772. How long he continued in charge of the 
School we are not informed. The next mention of it appears in 
the following advertisement, which we also copy from the Provi- 
dence Gazette: — 

A Grammar School was opened in the school room within the College edifice on 
Monday the 11th instant, in which the same mode of teaching the learned languages is 
pursued, which has given such great satisfaction to the inhabitants of this town. 

The scholars are alto instructed in spelling, reading, and speaking the English 
language with propriety, as well as in writing and arithmetic, such part of their time 
as their parents or guardians direct. 

College Library, Marcli 22, 1776. 

Under date of November 8, 1783, President Manning writes 
to his friend Dr. Stennett, " I have the assistance of a Tutor, and 
a Grammar Master keeps School in the College edifice." This 
was William Wilkinson, who had just graduated at the Com- 
mencement in September. In 1784, Manning writes, "He is a 
good Master. The School is nearly up to twenty." Mr. Wilkin- 
son retained the charge of the School until 1792. He was emi- 
nently successful as a teacher, and fitted for College many of its 
distinguished alumni. In 1786, the School was removed from 
the College edifice, back to the Brick School House, on Meeting 
street, as appears from the following advertisement published in 
,tlie Gazette: — 



256 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

William Wilkinson informs the public, that, by the advice of the School Committee, 

he proposes removing his School from the College edifice, on Monday next, to the Brick 

School House ; and sensible of the many advantages resulting from a proper method of 

instruction in the English language, he has, by the Committee's approbation, associated 

with him Mr. Asa Learned, as an English instructor. Those gentlemen and ladies 

who may wish to employ them in the several branches of the Greek, Latin, and English 

languages taught grammatically, arithmetic, and writing, may depend on the utmost 

attention being paid to their children. Greek and Latin at twenty-four shillings per 

quarter ; English at sixteen shillings. 

T, .1 /^ . I, ctf\ -irroa Wilkinson and Learned 

Providence, October 20, 178o. 

From this it appears that the immediate connection of the 
School with the College was for a time dissolved. The first 
mention that we find of the School in the records of the Corpo- 
ration, appears under date of September 4, 1794 : — 

Voted, That the President use his influence and endeavor to establish a Grammar 
School in this town, as an appendage to this College, to be under the immediate visita- 
tion of the President and the general inspection of the town's School Committee, and 
that the President also procure a suitable master for such School. 

In accordance with this vote the School was again established 
in the College. In a recent notice of the late Philip Allen, a 
graduate in the class of 1803, it is stated that "he was prepared 
for College in the Latin School, then kept in the north-west corner- 
room of the lower story of the old College building, by Jeremiah 
Chaplin, afterwards President of Waterville College." 

Under the date of September 7, 1809, we find upon the 
records the following: — 

Voted, That a suitable building, in which to keep a Grammar School, be erected 
on the College lands, provided a sum sufficient to defray the expense of erecting 
said building can be raised by subscription, that said School be under the management 
and control of the President of the College, and that Thomas P. Ives, Moses Lippitt, 
and Thomas Lloyd Halsey, Esqrs., be a committee to raise said sum, and cause said 
building to be erected, and that they erect the same on the west line of the Steward's 
garden. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 



257 



Voted, That the President be authorized to procure a master to teach the Grammar 
School ordered at this meeting, and that if a sufficient sum be not raised from the 
scholars to pay the salary of the master, the deficiency be paid out of the funds of this 
University. 

In accordance with the foregoing instructions the committee, 
consisting of Messrs. Ives, Lippitt and Halsey, proceeded at once 
to procure subscriptions, and to erect a house suitable for the 
purpose in view, on a part of the College grounds directly oppo- 
site the present mansion-house of the President. It was built of 
brick, twenty-four and one-half by thirty-three feet, and two 
stories in height. The whole expense was $1,452,86, which 
amount was obtained from one hundred and eighteen subscribers, 
mostly citizens of the town, in sums ranging from one hundred 
dollars down to five, three and two. The following are their 
names, which we copy from an original document on file : — 



Nicholas Brown, - 


$100 00 


Williams Thayer, - -* 


S15 00 


Thomas P. Ives, 


100 


00 


Moses Eddy, - - 


10 00 


Thomas L. Halsey, 


50 


00 


George A. Hallowell, 


8 00 


Moses Lippitt, - 


50 


00 


Wilham Church, - 


10 00 


Richard Jackson, Jr., - 


20 


00 


James B. Mason,'' 


20 00 


Samuel G. Arnold, - 


30 


00 


Adams & TiOthrop, 


10 00 


John Rogers, 


30 


00 


Jonathan Russell, 


20 00 


John Corliss, 


20 


00 


Benjamin Hoppin, 


10 00 


John S. ('arlile, - 


20 


00 


Benjamin Clifford, 


10 00 


Sullivan Dorr, - 


30 


00 


Caleb Earl, - - - - 


5 00 


Thomas Arnold, - 


10 


00 


Isaac Boorom, - 


10 00 


Jamos Brown, - 


20 


00 


William Taylor, - 


5 00 


William Holroyd, 


10 


00 


Sanfbrd Branch, 


5 00 


Ephraim Bowen, 


20 


00 


Salmon Arnold, 


10 00 


Alexander Jones, 


10 


00 


Stephen Tillinghast, - 


10 00 


George Jackson, 


10 


00 


Richmond Bullock, 


10 00 


William Wilkinson, 


10 


00 


Ephraim Talbot, 


10 00 


Neheniiah Dodge, 


10 


00 


G. W. Page, 


5 00 


Samuel Ames, 


10 


00 


Burrows A born. 


00 


Asa Ames, 


10 


00 


John Bowers, 


5 00 


William Blodget, - 


10 


00 


Jacob Scesman, 


12 50 


Samuel Eddy, - 


10 


00 


Thomas Thomson, 


10 00 


James Rhodes. 


20 


00 


Gustavus Taylor, 


10 00 


William Jones, - 


10 


00 


Benjamin & Charles Dyer, 


10 00 


Peter Grinnell, 


10 


00 


Olney Winsor, 


5 00 



33 



258 

Christopher Rhodes, - 
Thomas Sessions, - 
Benjamin T. Chandler, 
Nathaniel Searle, Jr., 
Obadiah M. Brown, - 
William H. Mason, 
James Burrill, Jr., - 
H. P. Franklin, - 
Young Seamans, 
Mo?es M. At well, 
Tristam Burges, - 

Samuel Bridgham, 
Wheeler Martin, 
Cash, - 

Ebenezer Thomson, 
William Bowen, - 
Thomas S. Webb, - 
Taft & Waterman, 
Oliver Earle, 
Thomas Coles, 
Philip Allen, - 
Samuel Dexter, 
William Valentine, - 
Nathaniel Gr. Olney, 
Nicholas Power, 
Greene & Carter, 
John Dorrance, 
Thomas C. Hoppin, 
Nathaniel Searle, 
D. C. Cushing, - 
Samuel P. Allen, 
Samuel Aborn, 
Joshua B. Wood, 
Walter Paine, 
Cash, 

Alexander Adie, - 
Isaac Pitman, - 
Nathaniel Pearco, 



B E W N 


UNIVERSITY. 




. 


$5 00 


Samuel Wheaton, 


$5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Samuel N. Richmond, - 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Joseph S. Martin, 


10 00 


- 


10 


00 


Cash, 


3 00 


- 


15 


00 


George Earle, - - . 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Israel Bullock, 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


George W. Hoppin, - 


3 00 


- 


5 


00 


Charles Low, . . . 


7 50 


- 


10 


00 


Cash. . - - - 


2 00 


- 


10 


00 


Jesse Com&tock, - - - 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Earle & Branch, 


7 13 


- 


5 


00 


William Snow, - - 


5 53 


- 


5 


00 


Seth Adams, 


2 00 


- 


3 


00 


Joseph Martin, 


3 33 


- 


5 


00 


John Carlile, 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Asa & Smith Bosworth, 


20 00 


. 


10 


00 


Asa Ames, . . . 


10 00 


- 


5 


00 


T. P. Clarke, 


3 00 


- 


5 


00 


William Almy, 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Stephen Dexter, - - - 


10 00 


. 


10 


00 


Edward Dexter, 


8 00 


. 


5 


00 


David L. Barnes, 


10 00 


- 


15 


00 


Robert Rogers, 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Thomas Tillinghast, 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


John T. Child, 


5 00 


- 


5 


00 


William Patten, - 


5 00 


. 


10 


00 


Lucius Bolles, - 


10 00 


. 


5 


00 


Asa Messer, ... 


10 00 


. 


10 


00 


Simeon Martin, 


10 00 


. 


5 


00 


Nathan B. Crocker, 


10 00 


- 


5 


00 


Henry Edes, 


5 00 


- 


10 


00 


Moses Lippitt, additional, 


1 57 


- 


5 


00 


Brown & Ives, additional, (they 




- 


5 


00 


having in vain attempted to 




- 


3 


00 


• get part of the same sub- 




- 


5 
in 


00 
(\f\ 


scribed by others,) - 


90 30 



5 00 



Total, 



1,452 86 



We should be glad in this connection to present a complete 
list of all the Masters of the Latin or Grammar School from the 
beginning; the means for this, however, are not at hand, no 
mention whatever being made of them in the records and files 
of the Corporation. The following names have already been 
alluded to, viz. : Rev. James Manning, D. D., 1764-70 ; Rev. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 259 

Ebenezer David, 1772 — ; William Wilkinson, A. M., 1783-92 ; 
Rev. Jeremiah Chaplin, D. D. Mr. Chaplin graduated in 1799, 
and as he instructed Mr. Allen, who was admitted to the College 
in September of this year, he must have devoted a portion of 
his time to the Grammar School while an undergraduate. The 
President of the College, it will be observed, had the general 
care and oversight of the School, employing such Masters as he 
pleased. In the early catalogues of the College we find the fol- 
lowing names of " Preceptors of the Grammar School," appended 
to the list of College officers, viz.: Wood Furman, A. M., 1808; 
Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, D. D., 1809 ; Rev. Harvey Jenks, 1810 ; 
David Avery, 1811-12; George Fisher, 1813; Rev. Solomon 
Peck, D.D., 1816; Rev. Willard Pierce, 1818; Rev. Jesse Hart- 
well, D. D., 1819-21 ; Hon. Isaac Davis, LL. D., 1822 ; Rev. Silas 
A. Crane, D.D., 1823; Prof George W. Keely, LL.D., 1824. 

Whether the School was continued regularly from this date, 
we have not the means of determining. It is probable, however, 
that there were interruptions. For many years after the comple- 
tion of the building, the upper part was used for the Medical 
Lectures that were formerly given in connection with the College. 
In 1837, Mr. Benjamin H. Rhodes, of the class of 1833, took 
charge of the School and continued it two years. In 1839, he 
was succeeded by Mr. Joseph S. Pitman, who taught it for a short 
time. In 1843, Mr. Elbridge Smith, who had been a Tutor in 
College during the two preceding years, assumed the charge, and 
the following year Mr. Henry S. Frieze, a graduate in the class 
of 1841, was associated with him. In 1845, Mr. Smith left the 
School, and his place was supplied by Mr. Merrick Lyon, also a 
graduate in the class of 1841. Under their joint management 
the University Grammae School had a brilliant and successful 
career. The number of pupils greatly increased, so that in the 
year 1852 they were encouraged to make, at their own expense, 



260 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

an addition to the building of thirty-five feet, and to supply the 
commodious halls and rooms thus obtained, with all the modern 
conveniences and appointments of a first class school. The pres- 
ent dimensions of the building, therefore, are twenty-four and 
one-half feet by sixty-eight. In 1854, Mr. Frieze accepted a 
Latin Professorship in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, 
and his place was supplied by Dr. Emory Lyon, who, from that 
time onward, has had charge of the English and mathematical 
departments, while his brother has had charge of the classical 
department. Under their skillful management the School has 
increased in usefulness and reputation. As it was in the begin- 
ning, so is it now, a most important help to the College, training 
for admittance thereto large numbers of scholars, who take high 
rank in their respective classes, and thus do honor to their early 
instructors. As an illustration, we may mention that during the 
past twenty years two hundred and twelve young men have 
entered the University, who were prepared for College at the 
University Grammar School. 





HOPE COLLEGE 



a^BECTED IN 1822. 




HE first mention made of this building, appears on the 
records under date of September 6, 1821 : — 

Voted, That the President, and Messrs. Brown, Ives, Halsey, Rhodes, Jackson 
and Dorr, be a Committee to consider on the propriety of erecting another College 
edifice, or other building or buildings, a suitable place on which to erect the same, with 
•a plan of the building or buildings, and generally such information on the subject as 
they may think proper ; and that said Committee report at the adjourned meeting of 
this Corporation. 

At the adjourned meeting aforesaid, held on. the 10th of 
October following, it was 



262 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

Voted, That the President and Messrs. Brown, Tves, Halsey, Rhodes, Jackson 
and Dorr, be a Committee to select and if necessary to purchase a suitable site for 
another College edifice, and that they be authorized to erect the edifice on such plan 
and of such dimensions as they may think proper. 

Voted, further, That said Committee be authorized to solicit donations and draw on 
the treasury for the above purpose. 

At an adjourned meeting of the Corporation held on the 13th 
of January, 1823, the Committee made the following report, viz. : — 

The Committee appointed in September, 1821, to procure a suitable piece of land 
and erect thereon a College edifice, beg leave to refer to the treasurer's report for the 
8d of September, 1822, for particulars concerning the lot purchased of Mr. Nathan 
Waterman. On this lot an elegant brick building of the following dimensions, has 
been erected by Nicholas Brown, Esq., the distinguished patron of the University, in 
length one hundred and twenty feet, width forty feet, four stories high, and containing 
forty-eight rooms ; the object therefore is accomplished, and no part of the funds placed 
at the disposal of the Committee by the Corporation, has been used towards said build- 
ing. Mr. Brown, it is understood, will make a communication on the subject of the 
new College edifice, at the meeting to be holden by adjournment in the University 
Chapel, on Monday, the 13th of January instant, to which communication the Com- 
mittee invite the attention of the Corporation. 

Bespectfully submitted by 

Thomas Lloyd Halsey, 

Richard Jackson, 

Sullivan Doek, 

Thomas P. Tves, 

Asa Messer, 

James Rhodes, 

Brown University, January 11, 1822. 

Mr. Daniel Hale, it may be added, was the master mason, and 
Mr. Samuel Staples, the master builder. 

The following is Mr. Brown's communication to which the 
Committee refer in the foregoing report: — 

To THE Corporation of Brown University: — 

It affords me great pleasure, at this adjourned meeting of the Corporation to state, 
that the College edifice, erected last season, and located on the land purchased by the 
Corporation of Mr. Nathan Waterman, is completed. 



> Committee. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 263 

Being warmly attached to the Institution where I received my education, among 
whose founders and benefactors was my honored father, deceased, and believing that 
the dissemination of letters and knowledge is the great means of social happiness, I 
have caused this edifice to be erected wholly at my expense, and now present it to the 
Corporation of Brown University, to be held with the other corporate property, accord- 
ing to their charter. 

As it may be proper to give a name to this new edifice, I take leave to suggest to 
the Corporation that of " Hope College." 

I avail myself of this occasion to express a hope that Heaven will bless and make 
it useful in the promotion of virtue, science and literature, to those of the present and 
of future generations who may resort to this University for education. With respectful 
and affectionate regards to the individual members of the Corporation, 

I am their friend, 

Nicholas Bkown. 

The above communication having been read by the Chancellor 
pro tem, Hon. Richard Jackson, it was thereupon, 

Resolved, That the members of this Corporation entertain a very high sense of 
the liberality of this patron of science, in the gift of this new building, in addition to 
his former large donations to this University. 

Eesolved, That in compliance with the suggestion of the donor, the new edifice be 
denominated Hope College. 

It is further Resolved, That, the Honorable I>avid Howell, Rev. Henry Edes, 
and Stephen H. Smith, Esq., be a Committee to devise and report at our next annual 
meeting the most eligible means to manifest our gratitude for this illustrious instance of 
public munificence. 

At this meeting it was also 

Voted, That the old College edifice be named University Hall. 

Mrs. Hope Ives, for whom the new edifice was named, was 
the only surviving sister of Mr. Brown. Their grandparents 
were Judge Daniel Jenckes, whose name appears conspicuous in 
connection with the history of the College charter, and Joanna 
Scott, a descendant of Richard Scott, who was one of the original 
founders of the Colony and a contemporary of Roger Williams. 
Mrs. Ives was born on the 22d of February, 1773. In the year 



264 BROWN UNTVEESITY. 

1792, March 6, she was married to Thomas Poynton Ives, Esq., 
by the Rev. President Maxcy. Of their six children, the first 
born was Mrs. Charlotte R. Goddard, and the fourth, Mr. Robert 
H. Ives, both still living. The second child, the late Moses B. 
Ives, died August 7, 1857, as has already been stated in our His- 
tory of the College Library. Their mother died August 21st, 
1855, at the age of eighty-two, "venerated," says the late Dr. 
Wayland, " by the public, beloved by the good, and mourned by 
the widow and orphan." 

No sum is anywhere named in the records as the cost of 
Hope College. From other sources, however, it is ascertained 
that the bills for its erection amounted to about twenty thousand 
dollars. For many years the upper rooms of the north division 
of the building, have been occupied by the Philermenian and 
United Brothers Societies. 

This building, the fourth that has been erected exclusively for 
the College, came very near being destroyed by the devouring 
element a few months ago. On Wednesday, December 5, 1866, 
at a quarter to twelve, while the students were engaged in recita- 
tion, a fire broke out in room number fifteen, south division. 
The alarm was given, and through the vigorous exertions of the 
students it was speedily subdued, without the aid of the fire 
department, which was promptly on the ground. Had it been 
discovered half an hour later, or had there been a high wind at 
the time, Hope College, and perhaps Manning Hall adjoining, 
must have been destroyed. As it was, considerable damage was 
done in the room where the fire originated. 




MANNING HALL 



ERECTED IN 1834. 




HIS building, as has already been stated in our History 
of the College Library, was erected solely at the expense 
of the Hon. Nicholas Brown, and by him presented to the Corpo- 
ration, with a request that it might be called Manning Hall, in 
honor of his distinguished instructor and revered friend. Presi- 
dent Manning. By a singular oversight, no mention is made of 
this munificent gift in the records. The only allusion which we 
find to the building, is under date September 4, 1834 : " Voted, 
That the Librarian, after the books shall have been removed to 
the new building, be required to attend in the Library room from 



34 



266 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

ten to twelve o'clock, a. m., during the ordinary College terms." 
At the next annual meeting it was " Resolved, That the Hon. 
Nicholas Brown be requested by this Corporation to sit for his 
portrait." This is the portrait that now graces the collection in 
Rhode Island Hall. 

Manning Hall is composed of two spacious apartments, one 
of which was designed for the Library, and the other for the 
purposes of a College chapel. To these uses it was dedicated 
by ^appropriate literary and religious exercises, on the 4th of 
February, 1835, at which time a discourse was delivered by 
President Way land, on the " Dependence of Science upon 
Revealed Religion." This discourse was afterwards published. 
The following original ode, by Albert G. Greene, Esq., of the 
class of 1820, was sung on the occasion: — 

To thee, fair Science, to thee, 
In thy courts we with joy and with gratitude come ; 

To thee, fair Science, to thee. 
With song and with music to offer the dome, 
A temple for thee, for thy children a home : 
For this, to its portals we gladly repair. 
And make vocal its walls with thanksgiving and prayer. 

To thee, loved Freedom, to thee. 
We offer the tribute and hallow the fane : 
And hence may the sons of the free 
^ . Go forth, thy great cause o'er the earth to maintain : 

Oh ! ne'er be their hopes nor their labors in vain — 
Nor this roof ever echo the tread of the slave, 
Which is reared for the home of the free and the brave. 

To thee, pure Religion, to thee, 
We have built the fair temple, made sacred the shrine : 
And ever, blest faith, may it be 
Kept holy to thee and thy service divine ; 
It is Learning's — 'tis Freedom's — 'tis Thine. 
Through ages unborn, let its altar still be, 
Thou God of our fathers, kept holy to thee. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 267 

The following original ode, by another Alumnus of the Col- 
lege, (the late Bishop Burgess, of Maine,) was sung at the close 
of the exercises: — 

Ages after ages urge 

On and on, like ocean waves; 
Soon shall break the future surge 

O'er our long-forgotten graves : 
Yon bright bay as bright shall gleam, 

Yon fair city rise as fair, 
Yon rich meads as richly teem ; — 

Other eyes shall see them there. 

Yet shall Learning's hoary halls 

Win the vot'ry step of youth ; 
Yet shall speak these echoing walls, 
' Sacred still to sacred truth : 

And must ours be voiceless sleep, 

Ours an image left on nought, 
Lost beneath the whelming deep 

All we were and all we wrought ? 

No ! through many a distant age, 

Each and all unchang'd may live ; 
No ! to form the future's page 

Each and all have much to give : 
Patient toils and worthy aims. 

Guarded trusts and cherish'd powers, 
Blameless lives and stainless names, 

These we give, if these be ours. 

Clasp we then the brother hand, 

Seal the compact, fair and fast ; 
Long as these lov'd walls shall stand, 

That unsullied gift shall last ! 
Thou, whose truth is saving might, 

Thou, whose love is strong defence, 
Lift the Cross of life and light, 

Lift it here, and send it hence ! 



268 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

The cost of Manning Hall is stated by Professor Gammell, in 
his "Sketch of the educational and other Benefactions of the 
late Hon. Nicholas Brown," to have been eighteen thousand five 
hundred dollars. It is an exact model of the temple of Diana- 
Propylea, in Eleusis, being just twice the size of the original. 
The plan and details were obtained from a work entitled, " The 
Unedited Antiquities of Attica, comprising the Architectural 
Remains of Eleusis, Rhamnus, and Thericus. By the Dilettanti 
Society." Folio, London, 1817. The following description of 
the building is taken from one of the notes in President Way- 
land's published discourse : — 

This College edifice, the third which has been erected, is built of stone. Includ- 
ing the portico, it is about ninety feet in length, by forty-two in width. Its height, 
from the top of the basement, is forty feet. The Library occupies the whole of the first 
floor, and is a beautiful room. In the centre, it is ornamented with a double row of 
fluted columns. The Library is sixty-four feet by thirty-eight, and is thirteen feet 
high. The Chapel is on the second floor It exhibits the most graceful proportions. 
Its length and breadth are the same as those of the Library. Its height, however, is 
not less than twenty-five feet. The front of the edifice is ornamented with four fluted 
columns, resting on a platform projecting thirteen feet from the walls. Manning Hall 
is situated between University Hall and Hope College, equidistant from each. It is 
of the Doric order, and is said to be one of the finest specimens to be found in the 
country. Mr. Russell Warren was the architect ; Mr. Daniel Hale, the master mason ; 
and Messrs. Tallman & Bucklin, the master builders. 

In 1857, the Chapel was embellished and greatly improved at 
the expense, it is understood, of Messrs. Brown and Ives. The 
walls were painted, the ceiHng was frescoed, and the windows 
were removed to give place to new ones, with ornamental sashes, 
and flock and stained glass. On the east wall, directly over the 
pulpit, an elegant and costly mural tablet was erected in honor 
of Nicholas Brown, by his nephews, Moses B. and Robert H. Ives. 
The tablet was made at the marble works of Tingley Brothers, 
who furnished for it the design. Upon it is the following 
inscription: — 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 269 

NICOLAUS. BEOWN. A. M. 

ViR. INTEGRITATE. INCORRUPTA 

SUMMA. IN. HOMINES. BENEVOLENTIA 

PlETATE. ERGA. DeUM. EXIMIA 

Pr^ditus 

Vere. bea'ios. non. quod, multa. possedeuit 

Sed. quia. Dei. muneribus. uti 

SciVIT. CALLUITQUE 
Ut. non. SIBI. YIVERET. SED. ALIOS. BEATOS. KEDDERET 

Pt.ena. manu. animoque. libente. inopes. adjuvabat 

Et. omnia, consilia. atqub. opera 

Religioni. moribusque. publicis. secunda 

Promovere. semper, laborabat 

Doctrinae. ae. literarum 

Omniumque. terae. humanitatis. studiorum 

Fautor. erat. munificus 

Atque. huic. Universitati. quae. ejus, nomine, gaudet 

Patronus. et. insigne praesidium 

Natus. IV. Aprilis. M. DCC. LXIX 

Obiit. XXVII. Septembris. M. DCCC. XLI 

And on the lower part of the Tablet : — 

Moses. Brown. Ives. et. Eobertus. Hale. Ives 

Avuncdli. sui. in. piam. memoriam 

Hang, tabulam 

ponendam. curaverunt 

M. DCCC. LVII 

In 1866, a handsome tablet of white marble was placed on 
the north side of the Chapel, in memory of the students and 
graduates of the University, who have fallen in the recent civil 
war. It was dedicated with appropriate services, on Tuesday 
afternoon, September 4. Prayer was offered by Rev. Prof Dunn, 
and remarks were offered by Mr. J. B. Mustin, chairman of the 
committee of undergraduates, by whom, and at whose expense 
mainly, the enterprise had been carried forward. Remarks were 
also made by Rev. Prof Diman, Gen. A. B. Underwood, of New- 



270 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

ton Centre, Massachusetts, Bishop B. B. Smith, of Kentucky, 
Abraham Payne, Esq., of Providence, and Rev. J. B. Simmons, 
of Philadelphia, all graduates of the University. 
The inscription reads thus : — 

In memoriam fratrum sookum 

qui pko libektate 

ET PRO Keipublicae INTEGKITATE 

IN BELLO CIVILI CECIDERDNT 

liTTKKARUM STUDTOSI 

IN HAC UNIVKRSITATK COMMORANTBS 

HANC TABULAM POSUICKUNT 

MDCCCLXVI. 

No names have yet been inscribed upon the tablet, in conse- 
quence of the difficulty of procuring a complete list of the 
graduates who have fallen in battle. The following are the 
names reported by the committee at the dedication, viz. : Sulli- 
van Ballon, of Pawtucket, a member of the Sophomore class in 
1849 ; Charles Bertrand Randall, of Somerset, Massachusetts, 
class of 1852 ; Robert Hale Ives, of Providence, class of 1857 ; 
William H. Kneass, of Philadelphia, who left College in 1858, 
while a member of the Junior class ; James Clark Williams, of 
New York city, class of 1861 ; William Ide Brown, of Fisherville, 
New Hampshire, class of 1862 ; and James Peck Brown, of 
Rehoboth. Massachusetts, class of 1863. To this list should be 
added the name of Thomas Poynton Ives, of the class of 1854. 
He did not, it is true, fall in battle, but his recent untimely death 
was undoubtedly occasioned by exposure and fatigue during the 
war. Additional names will be found when the roll of honor 
for Brown University, now in course of preparation by Major 
Henry S. Burrage, shall be fully made up. 

Within a few years the exterior of Manning Hall has been 
thoroughly repaired and painted, at an expense of thirty-five 
hundred dollars, the amount having been generously subscribed 
for this purpose by Mr. John Carter Brown. 




RHODE ISLAND HALL. 




ERECTED IN 1840. / 

.T the annual meeting of the Corporation, held September, 

8, 1836, it was 

Voted, That a Committee be appointed to devise means for erecting a building 
for lecture rooms, and rooms for the reception of geological and physiological specimens ; 
and that Messrs. Richard J Arnold, Timothy R. Greene, and James H. Duncan, be 
that Committee. 

The following year it was 

Voted, That the Committee, appointed last year, to devise means for erecting a 
buildinff for lecture rooms, etc., be continued; and that John C. Brown be added to 
that Committee. 



272 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Voted, That the treasurer (Moses B. Ives-, Esq.) be requested to consider and 
report on the expediency of improving the College grounds. 

September 6, 1838, it was 

Voted, That the existing Committee on the subject of devising means for erecting 
lecture rooms, etc., be requested to proceed ; and that the Rev. Dr. Way land be added 
to that Committee ; and that they have authority to erect a building, as soon as means 
may be obtained. 

The Committee now consisted of Messrs. Arnold, Greene, 
Duncan, Brown, and Wayland. The history of the new enter- 
prise from this point, may best be given in an extract from the 
President's annnal report of the Faculty for 1839 : — 

Nearly two years since, the President of the University received a letter from a 
lady interested in the prosperity of the Institution, generously offering the sum of five 
hundred dollars, to be appropriated to the increase of the means of instruction in 
physical science, provided the additional sum of fifteen hundred dollars, should, within 
a specified time, be subscribed towards the same object. An effort was made to raise 
the requisite sum, but it unfortunately failed. The lady then expressed her willingness 
to contribute the same amount, in aid of any other effort which might be made, to 
promote the interests of learning in the University. 

At the very time when this subject was in agitation, several benevolent gentlemen 
in Providence privately expressed to some members of the Corporation, a willingness 
to unite in any attempt that might be thought important to promote the prosperity of 
the Institution. Soon after the last Commencement, (1838,) these gentlemen met at 
the house of the President, nnd the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars (including the 
offer before mentioned) was subscribed towards the erection of an additional building 
to be devoted to the purposes of physical science. After considerable effort had been 
made, and it seemed impossible to raise the subscription to the required amount, the 
treasurer of the University received from the munificent benefactor of this Institution, 
the Hon. Nicholas Brown, a letter, of which the following is a copy : — 

"Providence, March 18, 1839. 
"MosES Brown Ives, Esq., Treasurer op Brown University — 

" Dear Sir : — In common with a number of the friends of Brown University, I 
desire the erection of a suitable mansion-house for the President, and likewise of 
another College edifice for the accommodation of the departments of Natural Philosophy, 
Chemistry, Mineralogy, Greology, and Natural History. As it is highly important that 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 



273 



these buildings, so necessary to the welfare of the Institution, should be erected with- 
out delay, I hereby tender to the acceptance of the Corporation, two lots of land on 
Waterman street, as a site for the President's house, and the lot of land called the 
Hopkins estate, on George street, as a site for the College edifice ; and I hereby pledge 
myself for the sum of ten thousand dollars, viz. : seven thousand dollars for the 
President's house, and three thousand dollars towards the erection of the College 
edifice, the suitable improvement of the adjacent grounds, and the increase of the 
permanent means of instruction in the departments of Chemistry, Mineralogy, etc., 
provided an equal amount be subscribed by the friends of the Univer.^ity before the first 
of Msy, next. 

"I am, with affectionate regards, and great personal respect for all the friends and 
patrons of the University, 

Respectfully, t^t „ ,, 

■^ •' JNicHOLAS Brown. 

Encouraged by this munificent offer, a vigorous effort was at 
once made to secure Mr. Brown's donation. Within the time 
specified the requisite sum was subscribed, the friends of the 
University cordially cooperating in a movement so auspicious to 
the cause of good learning. The following are the subscribers' 
names : — 



Nicholas Brown, 


- $10,000 


Zachaviah Allen, . . - 


$100 


Amai^a Manton, - 


1,000 


James Rhodes, . - - 


100 


Hope Ives, - - - 


- 1,000 


Horatio N. Slater, - 


100 


Thomas J. Stead, 


500 


Samuel W. Bridgham, 


100 


Amory Chapiu, 


500 


John Barstow, . . , 


100 


Richard J. Arnold, 


500 


Peter Pratt, 


100 


Francis Wayland, 


500 


Josiah Chapin, ... 


100 


Moses B. Ives, 


500 


Benjamin Aborn, 


100 


Robert H. Ives, 


500 


Matthew Watson, 


100 


William G. Goddard, - 


500 


Benjamin Hoppin, 


100 


Philip Allen & Son, 


500 


Kichavd W. Greene, 


100 


William Sprague, 


500 


Richard Waterman, 


100 


Samuel Ward & Brother, 


500 


James H. Duncan, - 


100 


John Whipple, 


300 


Lyman Tiffany, ... 


100 


Seth Adams, Jr., 


200 


Samuel F. Man, 


100 


Thomas Burgess, 


200 


Alexis Caswell, - 


100 


Peter Grinnell & Sons, 


200 


George I. Chace, . . . 


60 


Truman Beckwith, 


100 


Sarah J. Slater, ... 


50 


Thomas L. Halsey, 


100 


Samuel B. Tobey, - 


50 


Samuel Lamed, - 


100 


Thomas M. Burgess, 


50 



S6 



BROWN 


UNIVERSITY. 






$50 


William Gaminell, 


- $40 


. 


50 


Joseph Balcli, Jr., 


20 


. 


50 


Walter S Rurges, 


20 


. 


50 


Ezra W riowarrl, 


20 


. 


50 


William V. Bullock, 


20 


. 


50 


Henry B. Anthony, 


10 


- 


50 


Allen 0. I'eck. 


10 


- 


50 


Samuel W. Peckhism, 


10 


. 


50 


C. A. Ballou, - 


10 


- 


50 


Henry Earle. 


10 


- 


50 
50 
50 


Gamaliel L. Dwight, 


10 


. ' . 


Total, - 


- ^20,890 


- 


50 







274 

Henry A. Rogers, - 
Henry P. Franklin, 
Elisha Dyer, Jr., 
John L. Hughes, - 
Thomas C. Hoppin, - 
John Kingsbury, - 
Thomas F. Carpenter, 
William 'i\ Dor ranee, 
Samuel N. Richmond, 
Isaac Brown, 
Lemuel H. Elliot, 
Joseph Mauran, 
James F. Sinnnons, - 
Elizabeth Waterman, 

With the exception of about six hundred dollars, the whole 
of the foregoing sum was subscribed by citizens of Providence 
and vicinity. Kh ode Island Hall was opened for public inspec- 
tion on Commencement day, September 3, 1840 ; and, on the 
day following, it was dedicated to the uses for which it was 
built, by an appropriate address from the late Professor William 
G. Goddard. Owing to the sudden illness of the author, the 
difficult task of reading the manuscript was kindly undertaken 
by the Rev. Dr. Crocker. The subject of the address was, The 
Social Influence of the Higher Institutions of Learning. It 
was discussed in a most skillful and thorough manner, and the 
thoughts were expressed in the peculiarly classical and elegant 
language for which the writer was distinguished. We sincerely 
regret that the address has never been published, in accordance 
with the unanimously expressed wishes of the Corporation. The 
building is of stone covered with cement, seventy feet long by 
forty-two feet wide, with a projection in front of twelve feet by 
twenty-six. The first floor is divided into two lecture rooms, one 
for the Professor of Chemistry, the other for the Professor of 
Natural Philosophy. The second story is thrown into an ample 
and beautiful hall, of chaste proportions, for the cabinet of Miner- 
alogy, Geology, and other similar collections of the University. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 275 

Its walls at present are adorned with the portraits of distinguished 
graduates and friends of the College, and those who have acquired 
a name in the history of the State. This hall is open to the public 
on Saturdays in the afternoon, and is often visited by citizens and 
strangers. There is also a commodious basement, with an entrance 
on George street, containing a chemical laboratory, and other 
apartments suitable for conducting chemical analysis, and the 
various processes of Chemistry applied to the arts. Messrs. Tall- 
man & Bucklin were the builders. 

We may add, in this connection, a brief account of the 
apparatus for the two lecture rooms in Rhode Island Hall. The 
Rev. Dr. Benedict, in his account of Brown University, in 1813, 
published in his " General History of the Baptist Denomination," 
says : — 

The philosophical apparatus, though not so large as those of older universities, is 
yet respectable for its extent It consists of an orrery, a theodolite, a reflecting teles- 
cope, solar and double microscopes, convex :ind concave minors, lenses, globes, an air 
pump, the gift of tlie late Nicholas Brown, Esq., machinery for Hydrostatics, Elec- 
tricity and Mechanics, together with such other articles as are necessary to a respectable 
course of experiments in Natural Philosophy. A number of these articles were pur- 
chased with a donation of five hundred dollars from the late Samuel Elam, Esq. 

Mr. Elam was a resident of Newport. He made the donation 
to which Benedict refers, in 1799, "for the purpose of purchasing 
a philosophical apparatus for the use of Rhode Island College." 
Whereupon, the Corporation, at a special meeting held October 14, 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Corporation be returned to Mr. Elam, for his 
generous and very acceptable donation; and also that the Hon. Jabez Bowen, Esq., 
Chancellor of the College, be authorized to accept of Mr. Elam the above mentioned 
donation in behalf of the Corporation. 

President Wayland, in his Discourse on the Life and Charac- 
ter of the Hon. Nicholas Brown, published in 1841, further 
remarks: — 



276 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

The philosophical apparatus, which had been purchased at different times, and most 
of it at a remote period, had become, from ordinary wear and aceirlent, almost unfit 
for use. With the exception of a valuable astronomical clock, and an excellent transit 
instrument, by Troughton, the gift of Mr. J. C. Brown and Mr. R. H Ives, the 
whole of it was, I think, inferior to that which at present we frequently see in the 
possession of many of our high schools and academies. By the liberality of Mr. 
Brown and his brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas P. Ives, this department was at once placed 
in its present advantageous position. These gentlemen directed the Faculty to order, 
at their expense, such a set of apparatus, in all the departments of experimental 
science, as the wants of the University seemed tn require. These instruments were 
received in the year 1829. The University was thus furnished at once with as ample 
means for philosophical illustration as almost any in onr country, and superior, in fact, 
to those possessed by many similar institutions in Europe. 

To the apparatus thus furnished, large additions have been 
made from year to year, from the income of the Library fund, 
which income, according to the original conditions of subscription, 
is " to be appropriated to the purchase of books for the Library, 
and apparatus for the philsosophical and chemical departments of 
Brown University." 

Within the past year an important addition has been made to 
this department through the liberality of Messrs. J. C. Brown 
and R. H. Ives. It consists of Melloni's heat apparatus, Ruhm- 
korff's induction coil for Electricity, Duboscq's lantern, Bunsen's 
battery, fifty cups, and a nine prism spectroscope. The expense 
of this addition, it is understood, was about two thousand dollars. 
The University, therefore, has now excellent facilities for illustrat- 
ing the latest discoveries in light and heat, and in general for the 
study of the natural and physical sciences. 




PRESIDENT'S ROUS E. 



EKECTEr- IN 1840. 




HIS is a commodious house of graceful proportions, built 
of wood, as the eugraving represents. Its dimensions 
are forty-six by thirty-seven feet, with an octagonal projection in 
front, forming a vestibule. The lower story is twelve feet high, 
and the chambers are ten feet. Over the front door is an Ionic 
portico, eight by seven feet. The addition is twenty-one by 
eighteen feet, the lower story being eight feet high, and the 
chambers seven feet. Attached to this is a wood-house, eighteen 
by seventeen feet. The builders were Messrs. Tallman & Bucklin. 



278 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

The house fronts on George street, the lot being bounded on 
the north, east and south by Waterman, Prospect and George 
streets. It was occupied by President Wayland upon its comple- 
tion ; and here he held his customary reception or levee on Com- 
mencement evening, September 3, 1840. Immediately after- 
wards the old house, which stood directly opposite, was removed 
to College street, a little below Benefit, where it now forms a part 
of the wooden block of buildings in that vicinity.* A solitary 
pump without a handle still indicates the former site. 

Agreeably to the original design, as has already been stated, 
the grounds in front of the University buildings were at this time 
graded and adorned with gravelled walks ; the Lombardy poplars, 
planted in 1803, by Ezekiel Robins, according to the records, 
were removed, and their places supplied by the hardy and grace- 
ful elms ; and the whole College enclosure was surrounded by a 
new and handsome paling, making it, in the language of Presi- 
dent Wayland, " an ornament to the city of Providence, and one 
of the loveliest spots in New England." 

In the year 1854, the Corporation erected a substantial brick 
barn for the accommodation of the President, on Prospect street, 
at the rear end of the Grammar School lot. The cost of this 
improvement, as app'ears from the Treasurer's report for Septem- 
ber, 1855, was a little less than twenty-five hundred dollars. 

* On page 246, it is stated inadvertently that the old house was removed in 1839. Presi- 
dent Wayland occupied the old house until the new one was completed. 




CHEMICAL LABORATORY. 



E]{ECTED IN 1862. 




^ THREAT advances have been made in the science of Chemistry 
within the past few years, creating a demand for improved 
facilities for instruction in this department of learning, intimately 
connected as it is with manufacturing interests and industrial 
pursuits. To this demand the Corporation of Brown University 
have promptly responded. A neat and substantial Laboratory, 
combining utility, economy and beauty, in harmonious propor- 
tions, has been erected on the east side of the College campus, at 
an expense, including the cost of apparatus and fittings, of about 
fifteen thousand dollars. Subscriptions for this object, to the 
amount of fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, 



280 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

were obtained mostly through the exertions of Nathaniel P. Hill, 
formerly the Professor of Chemistry applied to the arts. The 
additional expense of about one thousand dollars, was provided 
for from the general funds of the University. The following are 
the names of the subscribers : — 



Seth Padelford, - - - $5,000 

John Carter Brown, - - 2,000 

Thomas P. Shepard, - - 1,000 

Horatio N. Slater, - - '- 1,000 

Amos D. & James Y. Smith, 1,000 
Cash, (to be expended by Prof. Hill,) 1,000 

Kobert H. & T. P. Ives, - - 1,000 

Earl P. Mason, - - - 500 

Nathaniel P. Hill, - - - 500 



Julia Bullock, - - - $5f0 

Eoyal C. Taft, ... 300 

Cyrus Taft, .... 100 

John F. Chapin, - - - 100 

J. P. Balch & Son, - - 100 

Cash, 100 

" 50 



Total, - - - $14,250 



The building was completed and occupied in the early part of 
1863. It is of the mediaeval Italian style, or more strictly speak- 
ing, the Italian Gothic. Its dimensions are, two stories in height, 
fifty by forty feet, with a projection on the east side thirty-five 
by fifty-five feet. The walls are of brick, built hollow, faced on 
the outside with Danvers pressed bricks, and " rendered " on the 
inside with plaster. The roofs are covered with Vermont slates, 
laid in alternate bands of purple and green. The underpinning 
of the entire structure consists of red granite from the "Westerly 
quarries, capped with olive-colored freestone. The window open- 
ings have segment or semi-circular heads, with olive and brown 
freestone voussoirs, the extrados of which are cut to form a 
pointed arch. The principal entrance doorway is decorated with 
olive-colored freestone. The band course beneath the main cor- 
nice and window sills, are of the same material, from the Albert 
Quarry, so called, in Nova Scotia. The chairman of the building 
committee, Thomas P. Shepard, Esq., superintended the work, to 
whose unwearied pains, and especially to the professional labors of 
the architect, Mr. Alpheus C. Morse, the friends of the University 
are largely indebted, for the substantial character of the building. 



COLLEGE BUILDINGS. 281 

the thorougliness of its workmanship in its several parts, and the 
economy and skill shown in all its financial details and results. 

For all the interior arrangements, as well as the general plans 
of the building, credit is justly due to Professor Hill, and to his 
associate, Prof John Peirce, These gentlemen had for several 
years given great attention to this department of science, the 
former having visited the best laboratories in the country, with 
a view to the ultimate erection of a suitable laboratory at Brown 
University, while the latter had spent some time in Europe. 
They were therefore enabled to introduce into it the best features 
of those which they had examined, together with important 
improvements. 

The appointments of the Laboratory are: — 

1. An analytical laboratory, capable of accommodating 
thirty-four students. 

2. A technical laboratory, for special investigations. 

3. A library room. Here are already upwards of five 
hundred volumes of choice works on Chemistry, together with 
delicate balances, and other costly instruments. 

4. An apparatus room. 

5. The private laboratories of the professors. 

6. A lecture room, with which are connected two prepara- 
tory rooms. 

7. A photograph room. 

8. A dark room for photometric experiments. 

9. Five large basement rooms for storage. 

The apparatus and fittings for these rooms were made by 
Thomas Phillips & Co., of Providence, from plans furnished by 
Prof Hill. From these same plans, it may be added, these gen- 
tlemen have recently furnished the laboratories of Columbia, 
Yale, and Amherst Colleges, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic 
Institute, of Troy. 

36 



282 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

We close this account of the Laboratory, with the following 
extract from the annual catalogue : — 

Chemistry applied to thk Arts. 

The Chemical Laboratory is open to students (except on Saturdays) from 9 to 12 
A. M., and from 3 to 6 p. m. 

It is the design of this department to teach students, first, Analytical Chemistry, 
and then to direct their studies to the practical applications of Chejnistry. Particular 
attention is given to Metallurgy, Pharmacy, Medical Chemistry, and to the applica- 
tions of Chemistry to manufacturing processes. 

The course is not confined to undergraduates ; other persons, if prepared to pursue 
the study to advantage, are admitted to the Laboratory. A knowledge of General 
Chemistry, however, is necessary to profitable study in this department. 

The expenses for students who take a course of two hours daily, are (for a term of 
twenty weeks) as follows : — 

Tuition, $15.00 

Charge for Gas, Chemicals, etc. , 18.33 

To this must be added, the charges for breakage, (varying with the 

student's care,) about 3.00 



Total, $36.33 

Students who take courses of four hours or of six hours daily, pay respectively 
double or treble the above amounts. 

John H. Appleton, Instructor in Analytical Chemistry. 
Charles M. Stillwell, Assistant Instructor. 




COLLECTION OF PORTRAITS 



RHODE ISLAND HALL. 



COLLECTION OF PORTRAITS. 




HE Collection of Portraits in Rhode Island Hall now com- 
prises thirty-one, many of them painted from life. They 
represent men of all ranks and professions, and include not only 
benefactors, officers and graduates of the College, but also soldiers, 
statesmen and divines, who have distinguished themselves in the 
annals of Rhode Island. Most of them have been obtained, it 
will be observed, through the active exertions of the Hon. John 
R. Bartlett, to whom the thanks of a grateful public are justly 
due. An enterprise so auspiciously begun, should be continued 
from year to year, until the Collection shall at least approach 
more nearly to completion. The following brief historical account 
will, it is hoped, be useful for reference, and help to awaken new 
interest in this department of the College : — 

1. Rev. James Manning, D. D., first President of the College. 
Born, 1738 ; graduated at College of New Jersey, 1762 ; 
died, 1791. 

An uncommonly fine portrait of the distinguisliecl sclaolar and divine, to whose 
untiring and philanthropic exertions the College inay be said to owe, if not its origin, 
at least its continued existence and prosperity for more than a quarter of a century. 
It was painted from life in the year 1770, by Cosmo Alexander, a Scotch artist, who 
came from Edinburgh to Newport about this time, and who is said to have been the 



286 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

patron of Grilbert Stuart, giving him his first lesson in drawing. An account of 
Alexander may be found in " I)unlap's History of the Arts of Design in the United 
States." From this portrait was engraved the excellent likeness accompanying Man- 
ning AND Brown University, and also the present work. In the summer of 1864 
it was restored to its original freshoess and beauty, by George Howoith & Son, of 
Boston, and encased in an elegant modern frame, at the expense of Mr. John Carter 
Brown. A portrait of the wife of President Manning, also painted by Alexander, is 
in the possession of Mrs. Eliza B. Rogers. 

2. Rev. Dr. Manning. A second portrait. 

This was painted from the original by Mr. James S. Lincoln, of Providence, at 
the expense of Messrs. Brown & Ives, and by them presented to the Corporation 
about the year 1840. 

3. Hon. Nicholas Brown, the distinguished benefactor of the 

University, and from whom it derives its name. Born, 
1769 ; graduated, 1786 ; died, 1841. 

At the annual meeting of the Corporation, held September 3, 1835, it was 
resolved, " That the Hon. Nicholas Brown be requested by this Corporation to sit 
for his portrait," and " That Messrs. Robert E. Pattihon and Moses B. Ives be a 
committee to present this request and to carry the resolution into effect." In accord- 
ance with this resolve a full length portrait of Mr. Brown was painted during the 
following year, by Chester Harding, of Boston, the distinguished American portrait 
painter. 

4. Rev. Francis "Wayland, D. D., LL. D., fourth President of the 

College or University. Born, 1796 ; graduated at Union 
College, 1813 ; died, 3865. 

This is a fall length portrait, by G-eorge P. A. Healy, of Boston. The subject is 
represented as standing on the platform in front of the pulpit of the First Baptist 
Church, with his Commencement robe and cap, in the act of giving to the grailuating 
class the customary rolls of parchment. It was painted at the expense of Mr. John 
Carter Brown, and by him presented to the Corporation about the year 1846. 

5. Rev. Adoniram Judson, D. D., the distinguished missionary to 

Burmah. Born, 1788 ; graduated, 1807 ; died, 1850. 

This is a half length portrait also by Healy. It was presented to the Corporation 
in September, 1846, as appears by the following extract from the records: " The 



COLLECTION OF PORTRAITS. 287 

President read a letter from Rev. Dr. Caswell, Rev. Dr. Granger, and Deacon James 
H. Read, committee of the First Baptist Church, presenting to the Corporation a 
splendid portrait of the Rev. Adoniram Judson, D. D., and requesting, that, if 
accepted, it may be placed in a conspicuous place in some of the halls of the College." 

6. William CoDDmGTON, the first Governor of Rhode Island. 

Born, 1601 ; died, 1678. 

This was copied from an original portrait in the Council Chamber in Newport, by 
Thomas Mathewson, Esquire. 

7. EsEK Hopkins, the first Commodore in the American Navy. 

Born, 1718; died, 1802. 

Painted by Mr. M. J. Heade, of Providence, from a mezzotint engraving executed in 
London, and now in the possession of Mr. John Carter Brown. Commodore Hopkins 
was a brother of Governor Stephen Hopkins, the signer of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. His daughter Susan was married to the Rev. Dr. Maxcy, the second President 
of the College. 

8. Abraham Whipple, the daring Commodore in the American 

War. Born, 1733 ; died, 1819. 

This is a full length portrait, copied by Mr. Heade from an original in the posses- 
sion of his grandson. Dr. William Comstock, of Middletown, Massachusetts. 

9. Moses Brown, the youngest of the "Four Brothers," and a 

munificent patron of the Friends' Yearly Meeting Board- 
ing School. Born, 1738; died, 1836. 
Painted by Mr. Heade, from an original sketch by W. J. Harris. 

10. Colonel William Barton, the daring captor of Major-Gen- 

eral Prescott. Born, 1747; died, 1831. 

Copied by Mr. Lincoln, from an original portrait in the possession of his daughter, 
Mrs. Cushman. 

11. Gilbert Stuart, the celebrated American portrait painter. 

Born, 1756 ; died, 1828. 

Painted by his daughter, Miss Jane Stuart, from an original miniature in her 
possession. 



288 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

12. Samuel Slater, the father of American manufactures. Born, 

1768 ; died, 1835. 
Painted by Mr. Lincoln, from an original portrait also by him. 

13. Thomas Poynton Ives, a distinguished Providence merchant, 

and a benefactor of the College. Born, 1769 ; died, 1835. 

Copied by Mr. Lincoln, from an original picture by Harding. 

14. Hon. Tristam Burges, LL. D., the distinguished orator and 

statesman. Born, 1770; graduated, 1796; died, 1853. 
An original portrait painted by C. B. King, Esq., of Washington, and presented 
by him to the Corporation. 

15. Hon. Henry Wheaton, LL. D.. the distinguished author of 

"Elements of International Law." Born, 1785 ; graduated, 
1802 ; died, 1848. 

Copied by Mr. Heade, from an original portrait by Healy, in the Council Chamber, 
of Providence. 

16. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval 

engagement on Lake Erie. Bom, 1785 ; died, 1820. 
Painted by Miss Jane Stuart, from an original portrait by her father, Cilbert 
Stuart. 

The following letter addressed to the Secretary of the Corpo- 
ration, gives the history of the portraits numbered 6 to 16 : — 

Providence, August 21, 1857. 

Sir: — I am directed by the gentlemen at whose expense the portraits of the 
distinguished men of Rhode Island have been presented, to place them at the disposal 
of the Corporation of the University, with the desire that they may be arranged in some 
suitable hall where they may at all times be accessible. The Collection includes the 
portraits of Gov. Coddington, Com. Hopkins, Com. Whipple, Com. Perry, Col. Barton, 
Moses Brown, Henry Wheaton, Gilbert Stuart, Samuel Slater, Thomas P. Ives, and 
Tristam Burges. 

The following are the names of those at whose expense the Collection has been 
made, viz. : John Carter Brown, Moses B. Ives, Robert H. Ives, Amos D. Smith, 



COLLECTION OF PORTRAITS. 289 

James Y. Smith, Philip Allen & Son, Elisha Dyer, Benjamin Hoppin, Horatio N. 

Slater, Charles B. King, Mrs. Charlotte R. Goddard. 

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, t t. -n. 

*^' "^ John R. Bartlett. 

The three following portraits, and those numbered 21-26, 
were also obtained through the exertions of Mr. Bartlett: — 

1 7. Hon. Asher Robbins, LL. D., a distinguished scholar and states- 

man, and the first Librarian of the College. Born, 1757 ; 
graduated at Yale College, 1782 ; died, 1845. 

Painted from life by the late Charles King, of Newport, and by him presented to 
the University. 

18. Rev. George Berkely, D. D., the celebrated Irish prelate and 

philosopher. Resided at Newport in the years 1729-31. 

Painted by Henry C. Pratt, of Boston, from an original by Smibert, a Scotch 
artist, who died in Boston, in 1751. Mr. Smibert came to this country with Berkely, 
and for a time resided with him as a member of his family. 

19. Rev. William Ellery Channing, D. D., the distinguished 

Unitarian divine. Born, 1780 ; graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege, 1798 ; died, 1842. 

This is a fine painting, copied from an original, by Henry C. Pratt. 

20. Rev. Nathan B. Crocker, D. D., the venerable Rector of St. 

John's Church. Born, 1781; graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege, 1802; died, 1865. 

A full length portrait, painted from life by Mr. D. Huntington, of New York. 

The following communication respecting it deserves a place in a documentary his- 
tory of the College. We give it to our readers in full : — 
To THE Corporation of Brown University: — 

In the month of May last a few gentlemen of this city met by common agreement 
for the purpose of considering in what manner there might be appropriately expressed 
to Rev. Nathan B. Crocker, I). D., the venerable Rector of St. John's Church, the 
high respect and esteem in which his character and services have long been held by 
his fellow-citizens of Providence. The gentlemen thus meeting were not connected 
with Dr. Crocker by ecclesiastical associations, and their only object was to devise a 
37 



290 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

suitable mode of giving expression to what tbey well knew to be the common sentiment 
among all classes of the community. At this meeting it was determined to request Dr. 
Crocker to sit for his portrait, to be executed by some artist of distinction, and to be 
placed, when finished, with the consent of the Corporation, in Rhode Island Hall, with 
the other portraits belonging to the University. At the same time the undersigned 
were appointed a committee to carry this determination into immediate execution. In 
order to give as general a character as practicable to the proceeding, it was also decided 
to fix the subscriptions for accomplishing the purpose at the uniform rate of one dollar 
for each person. 

In accordance with the general idea thus indicated, the undersigned have performed 
the grateful duty which was assigned to them. Immediately on obtaining the consent 
of Dr. Crocker, they engaged the services of Mr. D. Huntington, of New York, an 
artist of high reputation in this department of his art. They also set on foot, in differ- 
ent portions of the community, the subscriptions which were required for defraying the 
expense. The portrait has now been executed by Mr. Huntington with eminent 
success. It possesses not only great fidelity to the form and features it was designed 
to portray, but also superior excellence as a work of art, and it will not fail to com- 
mend itself to those who may look upon it, as a beautiful specimen of artistic execution. 

The entire professional life of Dr. Crocker has been spent among the people of 
Providence. In an age that has been filled with changes, it has been distinguished 
for its uniform and unambitious fidelity, and it strikingly illustrates the happy results 
of permanence and stability in the relations of a Christian minister to the community 
iu which his lot is cast. He was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, July 4, 1781. 
He graduated at Harvard College in 1802, and in October of the same year he came 
to Providence, and conducted public worship in St. John's Church as Lay Reader 
until the following May, when he was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. 
In June, 1804, he was ordained a Presbyter, and soon afterwards was established as 
Rector of the parish of St. John's — the office in which he has continued to the present 
time. He is now the oldest clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the 
United States, and for more than fifty years he has been a member of each of its 
triennial conventions, excepting only the last. At Commencement, in 1808, he was 
elected a member of the Board of Fellows of Brown University — a post which he 
still continues to fill, and which has connected him with the government and care of 
the University for a longer period than any other person, whether living or dead, whose 
name is recorded in its annals. Within this period he has also been Secretary of the 
Corporation fifteen years, and a member 'of the library committee more than sixteen 
years. This briefest outline of his long career, extending through nearly two genera- 
tions, will suggest to every mind the services which constitute his preeminent title to 
the gratitude and honor both of this city and the University. 



COLLECTION OF PORTEAITS. 291 

Having now fulfilled the purpose for which we were appointed, it only remains that 
we present the work, with whose execution we have been intrusted, to the body for 
whose custody it was originally designed We, therefore, respectfully request the Cor- 
poration to accept this portrait for the University, in behalf of the numerous subscribers 
whose names are herewith communicated, as a token of the respect and esteem which 
are cherished for this venerable gentleman by his fellow-citizens in Providence and its 
vicinity. It is designed to be a testimonial to his pure life and worthy example ; to 
the fidelity and usefulness of his life-long services among us, as a minister of the gos- 
pel, and to the sympathy which he has always manifested with the well being, both 
moral and social, of this community. We ask that this portrait may be suspended 
with tho.se already collected in Rhode Island Hall, and we earnestly hope that it may 
remind the scholars of the University and all who in the present or future time shall 
gaze upon it, how beautiful and venerable is a serene and unostentatious life spent in 
the performance of elev^ated duties, and in labors for others' good. 

In behalf of those for whom we have acted, we have the honor to remain, very 
respectfully, 

John Kingsbury, William S. Patten, 
John R. Baktlett, William Gammell, 
Samuel G. Arnold. 
Providence, September 4, t860. 

The foregoing communication having been read and accepted, the following pre- 
amble and lesolutions were adopted : — 

Whereas, as appears by the foregoing communication, there has been presented to 
this University, in the name and behalf of a large number of the [leople of Providence 
and vicinity, a well executed portrait of Rev. Nathan Bourne Crocker, D. D., as a 
tribute of the respect and esteem which are cherished for his character and services as 
a Christian minister and as a man, during his long residence in this city ; it is therefore 

Resolved, That we, the members of the Corporation, gratefully accept this valua- 
ble work of art, and that we delight to recognize it as a tribute of respect, for one, 
who, during a period of fifty-two years, has been intimately connected with us and our 
predecessors in the councils of the University. 

Resolved, That we honor the sentiments which have prompted the people of 
Providence and its vicinity thus to express their grateful appreciation of the character 
and life of this venerable minister of the gospel, and that in placing his portrait in 
Rhode Island Hall, they have most fittingly indicated the relations which he has so 
long sustained, alike to the city and the University. 

21. Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside, Governor of Rhode 
Island. Born, 1824 ; graduated at West Point, 1847. 



292 



BEOWN UNIVEESITY 



A full length portrait, by Emanuel Leutze, of New York. The subject is repre- 
sented in military costume, in the act of carrying the Stone Bridge at the battle of 
Antietam. The painting was presented to the Corporation by the persons whose 
names are here given, with the amount of their subscriptions : — 



John Carter Brown, 
Henry Butler, 
James Y. Smith, 
Earl P. Mason, 
A. & W. Sprague, 
"William H. Reynolds, 
Jabez C. Knight, 
Amos J). Smith, 
Robert H. Ives, - 
Thomas P Ives, 
Burnside Rifle Co., 
Charlotte R. Goddard, 
Thomas A. Jenekes, 



22 



$100 Seth Padelford, 

100 Thomas P. Shepard & Co. 

100 Moses B. Jenkins, - 

100 William Grosvenor, 

100 William Goddard, - 

100 James T. Rhodes, 

100 T. P I. Goddard, - 

100 Elisha Dyer, 

100 Henry Lippitt, 

100 Thomas F. Hoppin, - 

100 Julia Bullock, 

50 

50 Total, - 



50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
25 
25 
25 



$1,675 



Brigadier-General Isaac P. Kodman, who fell at the battle 
of Antietam. Born at South Kingstown, 1822 ; died Sep- 
tember 30, 1862. 

Painted by Mr. J. S. Lincoln, from a photograph Presented to the Corporation 
of the University by the following subscribers : — 



William Sprague, - 


- $20 


Jabez C. Knight, 


$20 


William H. Reynolds, 


20 


Ambrose E. Burnside, - 


- 20 


James Y. Smith, - 


- 20 


Robert H. Ives, 


20 


Seth Padelford, 


20 






C. F. Harris, 


- 20 




$160 



23. LiEUT.-CoL. Christopher Greene, a distinguished Ehode Island 

officer of the Eevolutionary war. Born, 1737 ; died, 1781. 

Painted by Mr. Lincoln from an original in the possession of Simon Henry Greene, 
Esq., a grandson of Col. Greene, by whom it was presented to the University, 

24. Dr. Solomon Drowne, a Surgeon in the American army, and 

an early Professor in the College. Born, 1753 ; graduated, 
1773; died, 1834. 

Painted by C. C. Ingham, of New York, from an original in the possession of Dr. 
Drowne's family. It was presented to the University by Dr. Drowne's son, Henry 
B. Drowne, and by his grandsons, Henry T., Thomas S., Christopher R , and George 
R. Drowne. 



COLLECTION OF PORTRAITS. 293 

25. Charles II., King of England. 

26. Catherine of Braganza, his Queen. 

It was from Charles II. it will be remembered that Rhode Island received her 
glorious Charter, dated July 8, 16fi3, a charter which has been the fruitful theme of 
praise from historians and statesmen for more than two centuries. These valuable 
portraits are originals, painted it is supposed by JohnB. Gaspars, an artist of Belgium, 
who visited England during the Civil War, and who, after the Restoration, became an 
assistant to Sir Peter Lely and afterwards to Sir Godfrey Kneller. They are of the , 
<;rdinary size, being rather more than half length, Charles being painted with the robes 
and insignia of the Garter. They were obtained in England by Ethelbert R. Billings, 
Esq., of Providence, through the influence of the Secretary of the National Picture 
Gallery. Mr. Billings had them restored to their original freshness and beauty, and 
presented them to the Corporation of the University. 

27. Rev. William Rogers, D. D., the first student of Brown 

University. Born, 1751; graduated, 1769; died, 1824. 

The Rev. Dr. Rogers was matriculated by President Manning September 3, 1765, 
and from that time until June 20, 1766, a period of nine months and seventeen days, 
he was the first and only student of " Rhode Island College." For many years he 
was Professor of Oratory and BellesJjettres in the University of Pennsylvania. This 
picture was painted by his only surviving daughter. Miss Eliza J. Rogers, and was by 
her presented to the University in the summer of 1864. It was copied from an 
original portrait by Remembrandt Peale, taken in the year 1795, when the subject 
was in the prime and vigor of life. 

28. Dr. Levi Wheaton, an early graduate of the College. 

Received the degree of A. B. in 1782; died, 1851. 

Painted by Healy in 1846, and presented to the Corporation in the summer of 
1865, by his two granddaughters, Mrs. Charles C. Little, of Boston, and Miss Martha 
B. Wheaton, of Cambridge. Dr. Wheaton was a Professor in Brown University from 
1815 to 1828. 

29. Gen. James Tallmadge, LL. D., Lieut.-Governor of New York. 

Born, 1778; graduated, 1798; died, 1853. 

A small steel engraving, presented to the University by Mrs. James Ludlow, of 
Newport, in November, 1865. Gen. Tallmadge bequeathed to the Library of the 
University one thousand dollars. 



294 BEOWN UNIVEKSITY. 

30. Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the English Common- 

wealth, Born, 1599; died, 1658. 

A faithful and life-like portrait, painted by Mr: Heade. The following letter 
from the artist will be interesting to our readers : — 

Providence, R. I., April 28, 1866. 
Mr. Guild — 

Dear Sir : — My picture of Cromwell was painted from two miniatures by Samuel 
Cooper ; the one belonging to Earl De Grey, and the other to the Duke uf Buccleuch. 
I was assisted also by a cast taken fiom Cromwell's face after his death, which Bell, 
the sculptor, kindly loaned me for the purpose. From this cast I copied the following 
evidences of its authenticity : — 

"This mask is from the original one in possession of Mrs. Russell, Chest. Park; 
traced authentically from Richard, Protector. Richard left them to his dear Elizabeth. 
She left the mask to her cousins, Richard and Thomas. The first left the mask, with 
other things to Annie Elizabeth and Letita, (his daughters.) They left them to their 
cousin, Oliver Cromwell, Chest. Park; he to his daughter, Mrs. Russell." 

Very truly yours, 

M. J. Heade. 

The picture, it may be added, was painted by Mr. Heade at the request of Mr. 
Bartlett, who wrote him while in London on behalf of the University. By accident 
Mr. Heade learned that an original portrait by Cooper, was in the possession of the 
Duke of Buccleuch. Mr. Cooper, who, it appears, was one of the most eminent artists 
of his day, had been employed to paint a full length portrait of the Great Proteot-or ; 
and while engaged in his work, he privately painted a miniature picture for himself, in 
which all natural blemishes and defects were faithfully delineated. A knowledge of 
this fact coming to Cromwell, the artist was summoned into his presence, and required 
to give up the too truthful porti-ait before it was half finished. This is the original, 
now in the possession of the Duke of Buccleuch, who kindly allowed it, for the first 
time, to be copied, on learning the destination of the picture. The painting was 
purchased of Mr. Heade for three hundred and fifty dollars, and placed in Rhode 
Island Hall in April, 1866. The funds used for this purpose, by permission of the 
donors, were a part of a subscription for a military school, which it was proposed to 
establish in connection with the University, An account of this subscription may be 
found in another chapter. 

31. General Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United 

States. Born, 1767; died, 1845. 



COLLECTION OF POETEAITS. 295 

A full length portrait of this distinguished statesman, painted from life by Amans, 
January 8, 1840, and presented to the Corporation by Col. William H. Reynolds, of 
Providence. In a letter to President Sears, accompanying the gift, dated June 14, 
1866, the donor says : — "This picture was presented to one of the ex-Mayors of 
New Orleans, and purchased of his family by myself some three years since. At 
the time of its purchase the owner was confined in Fort Jackson for disloyalty to the 
government." 

A prominent object of interest in Rhode Island Hall is a fine 
marble bust of the late Dr. Wayland, executed by Thomas Ball, 
of Boston, in the year 1861. This bust is pronounced by all who 
have seen it to be, both as a likeness and a specimen of the 
sculptor's art, a work of rare and extraordinary merit. The 
expense, including pedestal, was six hundred and fifty-five dollars, 
to defray which five dollar subscriptions were obtained among 
the widely-scattered sons of the University who had been the 
pupils of the lamented President. 

The following communication respecting the bust was pre- 
sented to the Corporation by the Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, at the 
annual meeting held September 5, 1861 : — 

To THE President and Corporation of Brown University: — 

The undersigned, acting in behalf of a large number of the graduates of Brown 
University who were pupils of President Wayland, have procured a marble bust of 
our venerated and distinguished Instructor, which we now have the pleasure of pre- 
senting for the acceptance of the Corporation, with the request that it may be carefully 
preserved in one of the halls of the University. Twenty-nine classes of graduates 
received their degrees from the hands of President Wayland, and since his retirement 
from office a desire has been very widely felt among them that there might be placed 
at this scene of his long and illustrious services some memorial of the estimation in 
which those services are held, and of the respect which is entertained for his personal 
character among the widely-scattered men who were once his pupils. 

It is in accordance with this pervading sentiment, that those whom we represent 
have caused this bust to be procured. It has been executed by Mr. Thomas Ball, of 
Boston, an artist of well known reputation, and by the common voice of all who have 
seen it, it has been pronounced, both as a likeness and a specimen of the sculptor's 
art, to be a work of rare and extraordinary merit. It has been procured by the ready 



296 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

I 
cooperation of gentlemen representing nearly every class of President Wayland's 
pupils from the class of 1827 to the class of 1855, and residing in every geographical 
division of the country. It may, therefore, well be regarded as an expression of the 
filial respect and reverent honor with which his pupils in every part of the land cherish 
the name and character of their early " Guide, Philosopher and Friend." 

In now presenting it to the Corporation, we desire, in behalf of our brethren, that 
it may be accepted and preserved to future times as an humble tribute of the affection- 
ate respect which is felt for Dr. Wayland among those over whose education he so 
faithfully presided ; and also, as an expression of their grateful appreciation of the 
distinguished services he has nobly and heroically performed, not for themselves alone, 
for the University, for our country, and for the age ia which he has lived. 

With our warmest wishes for the continued and ever increasing prosperity of the 

University, we have the honor to be. Gentlemen, with great respect, your obedient 

servants, 

Elisha Dyer, Marshall Woods, 

George I. Chace, Reubkn A. Guild, 

William Gammell, James Tillinghast, 

Thomas P. Shepard, Charles H Parkhurst, 

Abraham Payne, John W. Vernon, 
Samuel G. Arnold, Committee. 

Providence, Wednesday, September 4, 1861. 

The Hall during the greater part of the year is open to the 
public on Saturday afternoons, and also every day during Com- 
mencement week. The Librarian of the University has charge 
of the Collection of Portraits as Keeper of the Cabinet, and 
reports upon the same to the Corporation, at their annual meetings. 



FINANCIAL HISTORY 



COLLEGE. 



1764—1867. 



COLLEGE LANDS. 

if, HE first purchase of land for the College comprised, as 

p- has already been stated in connection with our account 
of University Hall, about eight acres, being the middle portion 
of the home-lots of Chad Brown, Daniel Abbott, George Rickard 
and John Warner. The price paid, as appears from the Record 
of Deeds, and also from the accounts of Nicholas Brown & Co., 
was two hundred and nineteen pounds, or seven hundred and 
thirty dollars, being a little more than ninety dollars per acre. 
These home-lots, as they were called, extended from the Main 
street, now North and South Main streets, eastward to Hope 
street. The original College estate included the Grammar School 
lot, and that portion of College street extending from the College 
to Benefit street. 

It appears from the records that the College in the beginning 
owned lands in some of the towns adjoining Providence, which 
lands were finally sold, and the proceeds applied to increase the 
resources of the Institution. 

The first addition to the College estate was made in the year 
1815. From a deed dated August 9, it appears that the Corpo- 
ration bought of Sylvanus G. Martin, for six hundred dollars, a 
lot on George street, fifty feet on said street, and extending north 
to the College lands one hundred and thirty feet. 

In 1822, April 15, the Corporation purchased of Nathan 
Waterman, for the sum of five thousand one hundred and eighty- 



300 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

nine dollars and sixty-six cents, a piece of land on which to erect 
Hope College, extending one hundred and twenty-three feet 
north and south, and four hundred feet east and west ; bounded 
by Prospect, Waterman and Brown streets, and the original 
College estate. 

In 1826, May 31, the Hon. Nicholas Brown deeded to the 
Corporation of the University, the estate known as the Hopkins 
estate, on George street, lying between the Cady and Bowen 
estates, and extending north to the College premises one hundred 
and thirty feet. This deed was not recorded until the 14th of 
July, 1840. Rhode Island Hall was erected upon this lot, in 
accordance with the wishes of the benevolent donor. 

In 1839, June 12, Mr. Brown deeded to the Corporation two 
lots of land lying between Waterman, Prospect and College 
streets, as an eligible site for the President's house. The esti- 
mated value of these lots, at the time when they were presented 
to the Institution, was seven thousand dollars. 

In 1840, July 29, Mr. Brown purchased of Caleb Earle the 
Bussey lot, so called, on George street, fifty feet by one hundred 
and thirty, for the sum of seventeen hundred . dollars, and pre- 
sented the same to the University. He also presented one other 
lot on the same street. The estimated value of these two lots, 
together with the Hopkins estate which we have already described, 
was twenty-five thousand five hundred dollars. 

In 1843, Mr. John Carter Brown deeded to the Corporation a 
lot of land fifty by one hundred and thirty feet, bequeathed to 
him in trust by his father, the Hon. Nicholas Brown, for the 
"improvement of the College estate." This lot is now included 
in the extension of Prospect street from College street to George. 

In 1851, the University came into possession of one-half of 
the Corliss lots, so called, lying between the College premises and 
Hope street, bequeathed to the Corporation by the Hon. Nicholas 



FINANCIAL HISTOKY. 301 

Brown. These lots, by an amicable division of land made in 1854, 
between the University and the heirs of Thomas P. Ives, and 
recorded in Record of Deeds, Book 142, page 25, are located on 
the north side of Manning street, between Thayer and Hope 
streets. The area, including Thayer, Brook, and one-half of 
Manning streets, is one hundred and sixty-one thousand five 
hundred and ninety-seven square feet, or nearly four acres. The 
estimated valuation of these lots at the time when they were 
bequeathed to the University, as stated by Prof Gammell in his 
sketch of Mr. Brown, was forty-two thousand five hundred dollars. 

The latest addition to the College estate was in 1860. On 
the 8th of March, as appears from the records, Mr. Seth Adams 
deeded to the Corporation of the University, in consideration of 
the sum of ten thousand dollars paid him by Mr. John Carter 
Brown, the lot on the corner of George and Prospect streets, 
seventy by one hundred and thirty feet, formerly known as the 
Bowen estate. This act of munificence on the part of Mr. Brov/n, 
makes an open enclosure of the " College Green," and provides 
that it always be kept open and free from all encumbrances and 
buildings. 

The present College enclosure, comprising about ten acres, is 
bounded in general by George, Prospect, Waterman and Thayer 
streets. Beginning at the Pearce estate opposite Brown street, 
it extends west on George street four hundred and eleven feet ; 
thence north on Prospect street five hundred and sixty feet; 
thence east on Waterman street four hundred and twelve feet ; 
thence south on Brown street one hundred and twenty-seven 
feet ; thence east five hundred and sixty-eight feet, to within one 
hundred and nineteen feet of Thayer street ; thence south three 
hundred and thirty-two feet; thence west five hundred and forty- 
two feet; thence south to the starting point on George street, 
one hundred and thirty-two feet. In addition to this is the 



302 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

Grammar School lot, about eighty by one hundred and thirty- 
eight feet, the mansion house lot, eighty by two hundred and 
forty feet, and the house lots bequeathed to the University by 
the Hon. Nicholas Brown, lying on the north side of Manning 
street, one hundred and thirty-eight feet deep, and extending 
from the College enclosure, one hundred and nineteen feet west 
of Thayer street, east to Hope street. The entire College lands 
comprise about fifteen acres, and are worth at the present valua- 
' tion of landed property in their immediate vicinity, not far from 
three-quarters of a million of dollars. 

We may add here, that within the past three years, nearly 
five hundred trees of various kinds, have been planted by a 
skillful gardener, in that part of the College enclosure which lies 
east of the new chemical laboratory. The funds for this purpose 
were furnished through the liberality of Mr. John Carter Brown. 
The students of a future generation, as they walk through the 
" College Park," or recline with their books in hand beneath the 
cooling shade of the graceful firs and elms, will bless the far- 
sighted wisdom of this benefactor. The "College Green" was 
graded and adorned with elms, and also the " College Campus," as 
we have already stated, at the time when Rhode Island Hall and 
the President's house were erected. 




AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 



the year 1862, Congress passed an act, which was 
approved on the 2d of July, donating pubHc lands to the 
several states and territories, which should provide colleges for 
the benefit of Agricultural and the Mechanic Arts. The provis- 
ions of this act are fully stated in Chapter CXXX., of the Stat- 
utes of the United States. One of them is as follows :'■ — 

Section 4. And be it further enacted, That all moneys derived from the 
sale of the lands aforesaid, by the states to which the lands are apportioned, and from 
the sales of land scrip hereinbefore provided for, shall be invested in stocks of the 
United States, or of the states, or some safe stocks, yielding not less than five per 
centum upon the par value of said stocks; and that the moneys so invested shall 
constitute a perpetual fund, the capital of which shall remain forever undiminished, 
(except so far as maybe provided in section fifth, of this act,) and the interest of 
which shall be inviolably appropriated, by each state which may take and claim the 
benefit of this act, to the endowment, support, and maintenance of at least one college 
where the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical 
studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related 
to Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, in such manner as the legislatures of the states 
may respectively prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of 
the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life. 

The following resolutions, accepting the grant of land made 
by the United States for an Agricultural College, were adopted 
by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, at its January session, 
in 1863 :— 

Resolved, The Senate concurring with the House, in the passage hereof, that the 
General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, does hereby express its acceptance 



304 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

in behalf of the State, of the benefit of the provisions of Chapter CXXX., of the 

Statutes of the United States, passed at the second session of the thirty-seventh Con- 
gress, and approved July 2d, A. D. 1862, donating public lands to the several states 
and territories, which may provide colleges for the benefit of Agriculture and the 
Mechanic Arts, upon the terms and conditions in the said act, contained and set forth ; 
and that the faith of the State be, and is hereby pledged to the United States that, 
upon the receipt of the scrip provided to be issued under the said act of Congress, it 
will faithfully apply the proceeds thereof to the objects, and in the manner prescribed 
by the said act. 

Resolved, That His Excellency the Grovernor be, and that he hereby is, requested 
to notify the President of the United States, without delay, of the accepting by the 
Legislature of this State of the donation of scrip for one hundred and twenty thousand 
acres of the public lands of the United States, (that quantity being thirty thousand 
acres for each senator and representative in Congress from this State,) made by the 
provisions of Chapter CXXX., of the Statutes of the United States, approved July 
2d, 1862, donating public lands to the several states and territories, which may 
provide colleges for the benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, upon the terms 
and conditions in the said act, contained and set forth, and to famish at the same time 
a copy of said notification for the Secretary of the Interior. 

Resolved, That His Excellency the Grovernor be, and lie hereby is, fully author- 
ized and empowered by himself or his order, to receive from the Secretary of the 
Interior, or any other person authorized to issue the same, the land scrip to which this 
State is entitled, under the provisions of Chapter CXXX., of the Statutes of the 
United States, passed at the second session of the thirty-seventh Congress, and 
approved July 2d, A. D. 1862, donating public lands to the several states and terri- 
tories, which may provide colleges for the benefit of Agricultural and the Mechanic 
Arts, and to hold the said scrip subject to the future order of this General Assembly. 

These one hundred and twenty thousand acres of the public 
lands, the Legislature proposed to transfer to Brown University. 
At a special meeting of the Corporation held on the 21st of 
January, 1863, the subject was presented and discussed. The 
action relating thereto, we copy from the records: — 

Whereas, The House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island, on the 
fourteenth of January instant, passed an act to transfer and assign to Brown University 
the Land Scrip, together with the benefits and responsibilities of the provisions of 
Chapter CXXX., of the Statutes of the United States, passed at the second session of 
the thirtyrseventh Congress, and approved July 2, 1862, donating public lands to 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 306 

provide colleges for the benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, upon the terms 
and conditions of said act ; and, 

Whereas, Should such act be perfected by the concurrence of the Senate, it will 
be necessary for the same to be accepted or declined before the next meeting of the 
Corporation ; and, 

Wheukas, The accepting or declining the same involves questions of great import- 
ance, both to the State and to the University, and requires more knowledge of facts, 
and more deliberate consideration of consequences than this Corporation now have, or 
can give, therefore it is 

VoTKD, That the whole subject be referred to the Executive Board, and that the 
full power and authority of this Corporation be, and is, hereby given to said Executive 
Board, to accept or decline the transfer of said-grant by the General Assembly to this 
Corporation ; this Corporation hereby ratifying and confirming the action of said 
Executive Board by virtue of this vote. 

The Executive Board accepted of the transfer of Land Scrip 
upon the following conditions, as set forth in the resolution finally 
passed by the General Assembly: — 

Eesolved, That His Excellency the Governor be, and he hereby is, authorized and 
appointed on the part of the State, to transfer, assign, and set over to the Corporation 
of Brown University, in the city of Providence, the scrip now in the possession of the 
Governor, or which may hereafter come into his possession from the government of the 
United States, under and by virtue of a resolution passed by this General Assembly, 
at its present session, upon receiving from the said Corporation, or its duly authorized 
agent, the following stipulations ; which stipulations shall be as and for a perpetual 
agreement, by and between said Corporation and State as aforesaid, and shall be in 
form substantially as follows, that is to say : — 

Said Coeporation does hereby agree — 

1. To provide a college or department in said University, the leading object 
whereof shall be, without excluding other scientific and classic studies, and including 
military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to Agriculture and 
the Mechanic Arts, in such manner as hereinafter stated, in order to promote the 
liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and 
professions of life. 

2. To locate without unnecessary delay, and at their best discretion, the said 

scrip upon some of the public lands of the United States, properly open to be located 

upon, and from time to time to sell and dispose of the lands so to be located upon, so 

that the largest price can be obtained for the same. 
39 



306 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

3. To invest and to keep invested the proceeds of the said sales in stocks or 
securities of the United States or of this State, but if this should be impracticable, so 
that an income therefrom of at least five per centum per annum upon their par value 
could not be realized, then to invest such proceeds in some other safe stocks, (the 
safety of which other stocks the University shall guarantee,) upon which an income of 
at least five per centum, as aforesaid, can be realized. 

4. To pay all expenses of locating and selling said lands, and all taxes which 
may be assessed thereon or upon the proceeds thereof. 

5. To apply faithfully the income arising from the avails of the sales of said lands 
in endowing, maintaining and supporting a college in said Univerisity as aforesaid, for 
the objects as aforesaid, so that no portion of said proceeds or income therefrom shall 
be used in the erection, preservation, purchase or repairing of any building or build- 
ings, for College or other purposes ; pfeovioED, however, that a portion of said proceeds 
of said sales, not exceeding one-tenth part thereof, may, at the discretion of said Cor- 
poration be expended according to said act of Congress, in the purchase of lands for 
sites, or an experimental farm, whenever said Corporation shall so determine. 

6. To educate scholars, each at the rate of one hundred dollars per annum, to the 
extent of the entire annual income from said proceeds, subject to the proviso as afore- 
said ; the Governor and Secretary of State, to have the right on or before Commence- 
ment day of each year, and in conjunction with the President of the University, to 
nominate candidates for vacancies occurring in said college or department as aforesaid, 
at the beginning of each collegiate year, and students admitted to said college, and 
pursuing studies therein by virtue of said fund, are not to be excluded from the regular 
scientific and classic studies of said University, and are to be subject to the laws and 
regulations of the University in entering and remaining thereat, and are to be gradu- 
ated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy or Bachelor of Arts, or are to receive 
a certificate for a partial course, according as the case may be. 

7. To assume upon itself all the responsibilities and duties which are imposed 
upon the State by the said act of Congress, and also all the duties imposed upon 
colleges endowed under the provisions of the said act, and to be entitled to all the 
privileges and immunities conferred thereby upon the State, and upon institutions 
endowed thereunder. 

8. To make to the Governor of the State an annual report, a copy of which shall 
be communicated to the General Assembly, of all lands located and sold, until the 
whole is disposed of, the amount received for the same and how invested, and of the 
appropriations made of the proceeds therefrom, and stating the number of the students 
to whom the same have been applied, and of all other matters prescribed by said act 
of Congress as aforesaid. 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 307 

Another resolution was adopted by the General Assembly, 
providing for the nomination of State scholarships at Brown 

University : — 

Resolved by the General Assembly as follows: — 

That the Senators and Representatives from the several towns in the the General 
Assembly, for the time being, are constituted a Board of Commissioners, whose duty 
it shall be during the January session in each year, to present to the Governor and 
Secretary of State the names of worthy young men from the several towns, to be 
educated as State beneficiaries in Brown Universitv, according; to the act of Consress 
donating land to the several states and territories which may provide colleges for the 
benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. And the said Commisssioners are 
hereby instructed, after one candidate has been presented from each town in the State, 
(the order of the towns to be determined by lot,) to select the candidates as far as may 
be from the several towns in the ratio of their representation in the House of Represen- 
tatives, and from that class of persons who otherwise would not have the means of 
providing themselves with the like benefits ; and that the Governor and Secretary of 
State be, and they are hereby, instructed to select candidates from the names presented, 
in such manner as that whenever for any reason any town shall not have received its 
just quota of those admitted to said University, such town shall, in the nomination of 
subsequent candidates, have priority over those towns which have received their full 
quota. 

Thus the University came into possession of Land Scrip for 
one hundred and twenty thousand acres of public lands, which 
lands were eventually located in Kansas. By a written contract 
made on the 31st of January, 1865, these lands were sold to 
Horace T. Love for the sum of fifty thousand dollars, payable, 
without interest, as follows : — 



One thousand dollars on the 20tb of August, 


- 1866. 


Four " " «' . •. 


1867. 


Five '• " " - - 


- 1868. 


Ten 


1869. 


Thirty " " " - - 


- 1870. 



United States seven-thirty bonds of an equal value with the 
above, were deposited with the Treasurer of the University, as 
security for the payment of Mr. Love's notes. 




SCHOLARSHIPS. 



;R. Nicholas Brown, at his death in 1841, bequeathed one- 
half the net income of the rents and profits of certain 
estates, to the Corporation of Brown University, directing that 
the same should be paid by his executors, as the rents should be 
collected from year to year, until his grandson, Nicholas, should 
attain to the age of twenty-one years, which he did on the 16th 
of September, 1853. This net income, during the twelve years 
as specified, was to be appropriated by the Corporation, in the 
language of the Will, " to the charitable purpose of aiding deserv- 
ing young men in obtaining their education while members of 
said University." In a codicil to his Will, Mr. Brown adds : — 

And I do hereby recommend to said Corporation, and to the Faculty thereof, to 
accept of the advice and recommendation of the Warren Education Society, (now 
called the Rhode Island Baptist Education Society,) as to the persons who shall 
receive the benefit of such aid and assistance, when said Society shall offer their advice 
and recommendation in relation thereto. 

A portion of the income thus bequeathed to the University 
was appropriated, in accordance with the advice and suggestions 
of President Wayland, to be awarded in premiums, as we learn 
from the following announcement in the annual catalogue pub- 
lished in 1842 :— 

The Corporation of Brown University, desirous of cultivating a generous love of 
science, and of rewarding with marks of distinction those students who have attained 
to distinguished excellence in scholarship, and who have, also, sustained an unblem- 



FINANCIAL HISTOEY. 309 

ished moral character, — have appropriated two hundred dollars, to be awarded in 
premiums, either in money or books, to such competitors as may by examination prove 
themselves most meritorious. 

This sum thus appropriated was afterwards increased to four 
hundred and twenty dollars. In 1850, the "New System" went 
into operation, the standard of scholarship was changed, and the 
following statutes regulating the award of the "University Pre- 
miums," were adopted : — 

1. The competition for the University Premiums is open only to those students 
who are candidates for some one of the degrees conferred by the University. 

2. No student shall be admitted as a candidate for a premium, who does not 
sustain an irreproachable moral character, and who is not punctual in his attendance 
upon all Collegiate exercises. 

3. No student shall be a competitor for a premium whose average standing for 
the year is below fifteen, the maximum of standing being twenty. 

4. No student shall be a competitor for more than one premium, whose average 
standing for the year is below eighteen. 

In 1858, the Corporation voted to apply the fund derived 
from the bequest of Nicholas Brown, and now amounting to 
upwards of eleven thousand dollars, to scholarships of one thou- 
sand dollars each, the income thereof to be appropriated " to the 
charitable purpose of aiding deserving young men in obtaining 
their education while members of the University." It was also 
voted, on motion of the Rev. Dr. Babcock — 

That the Corporation and Faculty be recommended to accept the advice and 
recommendation of the E.hode Island Baptist Education Society, (which now holds 
the place of the late Warren Education Society) as to persons who shall receive such 
aid and assistance, when said Society shall offer their advice and recommendation 
relative thereto. 

The establishing of a system of Scholarships to aid deserving 
young men in obtaining an education, is justly regarded by 
President Sears as perhaps the most important act of his admin- 
istration. His large experience as an educator had long since 



310 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

convinced him, that distinction in the various walks of literary 
and professional life attends, most frequently, those whose early 
years are full of struggle against the difficulties of pecuniary 
embarrassment. Without the timely aid of a charitable endow- 
ment, such men as Sir Isaac Newton, the "judicious" Hooker and 
Jeremy Taylor, might never have graduated from the Univer- 
sities of Oxford and Cambridge. The Hon. Isaac Davis, when 
in England, remarked to one, who for thirty years had been 
entrusted with the care of the Register of Cambridge University : 
"I suppose you have many sons of Dukes, Earls and Lords among 
the graduates who have distinguished themselves." "No, sir," 
says the Registrar, "if you want to consult the record of our 
distinguished scholars and great men, look to the scholarships. 
Sir, look to the scholarships." 

In addition to these general considerations, the system of 
Scholarships inaugurated by President Sears aids especially pious 
students who have the ministry in view, and thus secures the 
main object which the Philadelphia Association had in founding 
the College. That this was the original design of the Institu- 
tion, the Life, Times and Correspondence of James Manning affords 
ample proof In a letter to the Rev. Dr. Stennett, of London, 
dated November 8, 1783, Manning develops a plan for the assist- 
ance of young men preparing for the ministry, very similar to 
the views which President Sears has embodied in his system. 

The following are the Scholarships of Brown University at 
the present time : — 

1, The Nicholas Brown Scholarships, (eleven,) - - $11,000 

Founded by the Corporation in 1858, from ftinds derived from a 
bequest of the late Hon. Nicholas Brown. 

2. The President's Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Barnas Sears, September 1, 1859. 



FIJSANCIAL HISTORY. 311 

3. The Alva Woods Scholarships, (three,) - - - - |3,000 

Founded by Alva Woods, September 22, 1859, and June 13, 1865. 

4. The Slater Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Horatio N. Slater, May 9, 1860. 

5. The Earl P. Mason Scholarship, ------ 1,000 

Founded by Earl P. Mason, May 10, 1860. 

6. The Duncan Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by James H. Duncan, of Haverhill, Mass., Sept. 5, 1860. 

7. The Hezekiah S. Chace Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Hezekiah S. Chace, of Boston, November 16, 1860. 

8. The Arnold Whipple Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Mrs. Phebe Whipple, January 28, 1861. 

9. The Joseph Brown Scholarship, ------ 1,000 

Founded by Mrs. Eliza Brown Rogers, January 28, 1861. 

10. The Pardon Miller Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Mrs. Ann Eliza Miller, January 30, 1861. 

11. The Isaac Davis Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Isaac Davis, of Worcester, Massachusetts, May 21, 1861. 

12. The Gardner Colby Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Gardner Colby, of Boston, May 3, 1862. 

13. The Ephraim Wheaton Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by James Wheaton, September 29, 1862. 

14. The Jai^ies Y. Smith Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by James Y. Smith, September 15, 1863. 

15. The S. S. Bradford Scholarships, (two,) - - - 2,000 

Founded by S. S. Bradford, September 18, 1863, and June 23, 1865. 

16. The Frances R. Arnold Scholarship, - - . - 1,000 

Founded by Mrs. Frances R. Arnold, September 18, 1863. 



312 " beown university. 

17. The Cornelia E. Green Scholarship, $1,000 

Founded by Mrs. Cornelia E. Green, September 18, 1863. 

18. The Charles Thurber Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Charles Thurber, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct 15, 1863. 

19. The Crocker Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Robert H. and Thomas P. Ives, October 20, 1863. 

20. The Clark Scholarship, . - 1,000 

Founded by Robert H. and Thomas P. Ives, October 20, 1863. 

21. The Albert Day Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Albert Day, of Hartford, Connecticut, March 28, 1864. 

22. The Henry P. Kent Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Henry P. Kent, of Suffield, Connecticut, July 25, 1864. 

23. The Romeo Elton Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Romeo Elton, of Exeter, England, August 13, 1864. 

24. The Ann E. Waters Scholarships, (five,) - - - 5,000 

Founded by Mrs. Ann E. Waters, of Brooklyn, New York, January 
6, and May 1, 1865. 

25. The L. Fairbrother Scholarship, 1.000 

Founded by Mrs. L. Fairbrother, of Pawtucket, April 3, 1865. 

26. The George Lawton Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by George Lawton, of Waltham, Mass., April 10, 1865. 

27. The John P. Crozer Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by his daughter, Mrs. Margaret C. Bucknell, of Philadel- 
phia, October 10, 1866. 

28. The David Howell Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by his great-grandson, Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, April 1 , 1867. 

29. University Scholarships, (two,) 2,000 

Founded by the Treasurer April 1, 1867, from uninvested scholarship 
funds, and also from the unexpended income of Scholarships. 

Total, forty-seven Scholarships, $47,000 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 313 

In addition to the foregoing are the following Scholarships 
not yet available, and from which no income has thus far been 
received : — 

1. The George L. Sherman Scholarships, (two,) - - |2,000 

Founded by George L. Sherman, April 19, 1860, and payable within 
six months after the decease of himself and wife. 

2. The James N. Granger Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by Mrs. Ann B. Granger, January 12, 1861, and payable 
on or before September 1, 1870. 

3. The Hazletine Scholarship, 1,000 

Founded by S. E. Brooks, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, September 
24, 1862, and payable within one year after his decease. 

4. The William Coolidge Richards Scholarship, - - 1,000 

Founded by William C. Kiehards, of Lynn, Mass., May, 4, 1863, and 
payable within one year after the decease of himself and wife. 

Total, five Scholarships, $5,000 

The income of a Scholarship, it may be stated in closing, is 
sixty dollars. 

40 




AID FUND 



OME account of the Aid Fund established by Miss Lydia 
Carpenter, of Pawtucket, may naturally be expected in 
connection with the Scholarships. The following letter, which 
was read to the Corporation at its annual meeting held in Sep- 
tember, 1860, presents in brief the facts pertaining to the history 
of this Fund : — 

Rev. Baknas Sears, Peesident op Brown University — 

Respected Sir: — Miss Lydia Carpenter, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, requests 
me to place in your possession the inclosed note of the Corliss Steam Engine Co., for 
$4,000, dated December 3, 1859, payable in four months from date, (3-6 of April 
next.) She also incloses $83.10, the four months interest thereof. 

This note, with the $1,000 heretofore (in March, 1858) placed by her at your 
disposal, making the principal sum of $5,000, is a donation from her to the University, 
under the following arrangements and conditions : — 

To establish a fund to be called the Aid Fund, which is to be applied to help 
deserving students, who may need aid after their admission into Brown University, to 
obtain a Collegiate education therein, by loans or gifts from the Fund, or from its 
income. 

The principal sum of Fund never to be reduced by its use below four thousand 
dollars. 

The Fund to be invested and kept by the Treasurer separate from other funds of 
tbe University, and payments on account thereof to be made only on the written order 
of the President of the University, actual or acting as such ; and no nayments to be 
made which shall reduce the Fund below, or when it is below, $4,000. 

All appropriations out of the Fund shall hereafter be made according to the 
direction of a standing committee of three persons, of which the President of the 
University, acting or officiating as such, shall be chairman, and Thomas Carpenter, of 
Pawtucket, Rhode Island, shall be one, and William S. Patten, of Providence, shall 
be one. 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 315 

When a vacancy occurs in the committee by the death, resignation, or disability of 
either or both of the last named members, the Chancellor of the University shall fill 
the first vacancy, and the Secretary of the Coi'poration the second ; and thereafter the 
committee shall be the President, and the Chancellor and the Secretary of the Corpo- 
ration "ex officiis." 

The committee shall keep minutes of their doings, without giving unnecessary 
publicity thereof. Their high official stations will insure impartiality in the adminis- 
tration of the Fund. 

By not calling the Fund by the name of any person, it is left an open fund, 
inviting increase by contributions from others, who will be at liberty to identify their 
donation to the Aid Fund by such name and subject to such mode of application, not 
inconsistent with the general object, as they shall appoint. 

The appropriations already made by the President out of the $1,000 heretofore 
given, are approved and adopted by the donor, and are made in conformity with this 
donation and her intentions. 

I am requested to ask that no needless notoriety be given to the name of the 
person who has employed my agency in this communication. 

Respectfully yours, 
Providence, March 9, 1860. ^^^^'^^^ ®- P^'^™^' 

Upon the receipt of the foregoing communication by the 
Executive Board, the following votes were passed : — 

Voted, That the Executive Board of Brown University accept the gift from Miss 
Lydia Carpenter, of Pawueket, Rhode Island, of $5,000 to the University for an 
Aid Fund, and on the terms thereon. 

Voted, That this University hereby express with gratitude the obligations of the 
University to her for her unexpected and munificent gift ; aware that words of praise 
can add but little to the conscious enjoyment of one who conceives and performs so 
noble a benefaction, the influence of which will not cease to cheer the depressed spirits 
and smooth the toilsome way of the indigent student, as he labors to obtain knowledge 
and virtue, so long as they are dispensed by this University. 

Voted, That a copy of these votes be sent to Miss Carpenter, signed by the Presi- 
dent and Secretary of this Board, and that the letter with the action of this Board 
thereupon, be communicated by the President to the Corporation at their next meeting. 

The Corporation fully approved of the action of the Executive 
Board, accepting the donation of five thousand dollars from Miss 
Carpenter, with all its conditions and restrictions. Miss Carpen- 



316 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



ter afterwards presented to the Treasurer of the University the 
sum of three hundred and fifty-eight dollars to make up the cost 
of a certificate of United States six per cent, stock, for the sum 
of five thousand dollars, which sum now constitutes the Aid Fund. 

The founder of the Aid Fund, it may be added, is a maiden 
lady upwards of seventy years of age, and a worthy member of 
the First Baptist Church in Pawtucket. She was baptized by 
the Eev. Dr. Benedict, during the early part of his ministry in 
that town. 

It may be proper to state here, that previous to the establish- 
ment of the Aid Fund, Mr. Seth Padelford paid into the Treasury 
the sum of three hundred dollars, to be expended under the direc- 
tion of President Sears and Professor Hill, in settling the College 
bills of meritorious students. 





FUNDS AND TREASUEERS. 



'UBSCRIPTIONS for the endowment of the College in the 
beginning were obtained, as we have already seen, by the 
Rev. Messrs. Edwards and Smith. The amount of benefactions 
thus secured, a part of which constituted the first permanent 
funds of the College, was about seven thousand dollars. To 
increase these funds, and also to aid in defraying the current 
expenses of the Institution, subscriptions were solicited through- 
out the State and colonies, especially among the Baptists. The 
records of the Philadelphia, Charleston, and Warren Associations 
have frequent mention of the College, and of efforts on its behalf. 
In 1774, these Associations recommended "every member to pay 
SIXPENCE STERLING annually, for three years successively, to their 
Elder, or some suitable person ; this money to be paid to the 
Treasurer of the College." At the same time, says Benedict in 
his history, the Rev. Messrs. John Gano, Oliver Hart and Francis 
Pelot were appointed to address the various Baptist associations 
throughout America, and urge their cooperation in procuring 
funds for Rhode Island College. To what extent these efforts 
were successful, we have no means at hand for ascertaining. The 
disturbances of this early period, the breaking out of the Ameri- 
can war, and the consequent interruption of Collegiate exercises, 
turned the thoughts of the people into other channels, and insti- 
tutions of learning were for a time forgotten. 



318 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

The first Treasurer of the College was John Tillinghast, Esq., 
of Newport, who was elected to this office at the annual meeting 
of the Corporation held in 1764. His duties it is to be presumed 
were not especially arduous, as College instruction did not begin 
until the following year, when Mr. Manning was formally appointed 
President. No annual reports of his appear on file, and no further 
mention is made of the Treasurer until 1767, when, his term of 
service having expired. Col. Job Bennet, also of Newport, was 
appointed his successor. According to the record — 

The Kev. Edward UpLam and Mr. Edward Thurston, Jr., were appointed a 
committee to receive of John Tillinghast, Esq., late Treasurer of this College, his 
accounts and papers, and deliver them to Job Bennet, Esq., the present Treasurer. 

Mr. Tillinghast attended the meeting at Warren which deter- 
mined the location of the College, after which his name does not 
appear in the records of the Corporation until 1776, when having 
deceased, Mr. Cahoon was appointed a Trustee in his place. From 
the reports of his successor in office, it appears that he subscribed 
and paid towards founding and endowing the Institution one 
hundred pounds. 

We present a few extracts from Col. Bennet's reports, in order 
to place on permanent record the names of some of the early 
benefactors of the College. The amounts, it will be observed, 
are in New England currency, six shillings to the dollar : — 

£ s. d. 

1766. Sept. 4. Rev. Samuel Stillman, 12 

1767. " 4. Rev. Hezekiah Smith, - - - - - 15 

" " 14. Rev. Gardner Thurston, 1110 

" Oct. 5. Joshua Babcock, Esq., 110 

" 5. Rev. John Maxson, 6 

Nov. 6. Joseph Wanton, Esq., 1 10 

Dec. 25. John Tillinghast, Esq., 5 

1768. Jan. 9. Josias Lyndon, Esq., - - ^ - - - 110 

" 9. Job Bennet, 18 

Aug. 9. Nicholas Brown, Esq., 2 10 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 



319 



1768. Sept. 8. 
" 9. 



" 12. 

Oct. 27. 

1769. Sept. 8. 

1770. April 2. 
" Aug. 2. 

" 10. 

" Sept. 20. 

" 20. 

Oct. 18. 

" Dec. 4. 



" 19. 

1771. Feb. 19. 

" April 16. 

" May 13. 

" June 24. 



£ s. d 

Samuel Ward, Esq., 14 

Kev. John Maxson, 12 

Rev. Isaac Backus, 060 

Rev. Hezekiah Smith, 16 

Job Rennet, - -3 10 3 

Rev. James Manning, 3120 

Rev. Gardner Thurston, 6 

John Tillinghast, Esq., 5 

Josias Lyndon, Esq., -300 

Mr. Peleg Barker, 3 7 6 

Nicholas Easton, Esq., 2 2 

Samuel Brocks, of Elizabeth! own, - - - 3 12 

Rev. John Gano, 4 10 

Job Rennet, - - 12 14 7 

Josias Lyndon, 120 

Peleg Barker, 426 

John Tillinghast, Esq., 14 8 

Governor Wanton, 30 00 

Rev. John Ryland, of England, (his annual subscription 

of five guineas for President Manning,) - - 6 10 

John TilUnghast, Esq., 30 

Simon Pease, (in part of his father's donation,) - 18 

Col. Josias Lyndon, 13 10 

John Tanner, 18 15 

Rev. John Maxson, 0180 

John Tillinghast, Esq., 45 10 

Nicholas Easton, Esq., 12 18 

Joseph Wanton, Jr., - - - - - - 28 10 



Total, £312 17 10 

Mr. Bennet resigned his office as Treasurer in 1775. He died 
in 1784, and at the annual meeting of the Corporation for that 
year, Col. Daniel Tillinghast, of Providence, was appointed a 
Trustee in his place. His last annual report represents the per- 
manent funds of the College as amounting to £1,349 14^ 8d, or 
about forty-five hundred dollars, which was the sum obtained in 



320 BROWN UNIVEES IT Y. 

England and Ireland by Morgan Edwards. It would thus appear 
that the money obtained by Hezekiah Smith in South Carolina 
and Georgia, had been expended in defraying current expenses, 
and in erecting the College buildings. 

Col. Bennet was succeeded as Treasurer by John Brown, one 
of the "Four Brothers" whose names appear so conspicuous in 
the early history of the College, as well as of the town in which 
the College is located. A full account of these brothers and of 
their ancestors, may be found in our former work, pp. 143-176. 
For twenty-one years, during the most trying periods of the 
country's history, Mr. Brown conducted the financial affairs of the 
College, displaying a skill in their management and a fertility in 
resources, for which he was distinguished in the management of 
his own affairs, and contributing freely to the funds of the Insti- 
tution from his ample fortune. He resigned the Treasurership 
September 8th, 1796, whereupon the Corporation passed a vote 
of thanks "for his long and faithful services." He retained his 
place in the Corporation a few years longer, but the infirmities 
of age pressing heavily upon him he at length resigned, in the 
following interesting letter, which weU deserves a place in a 
documentary history of the College. The reader will not fail to 
notice the allusion to oratory, or "handsome speaking," for which 
Presidents Manning and Maxcy were especially distinguished, 
and which doubtless prepared the way for the Nicholas Brown 
Professorship : — 

Pkovidence, September 6, 1803. ) 
Tuesday Morning, ) 

Gentlemen : — Finding the state of my health fast declining, which, together with 
my inactivity of body and long-continued lameness, has rendered and will continue to 
render me a useless member of the Corporation, and wishing, as I do, that some one 
who may have it in his power as well as inclination to promote the welfare of the 
Institution should be elected in my place, I now take this early opportunity to resign 
my seat in the Corporation, desiring that it may be filled as your wisdom shall direct, 
during the present annual Commencement. 



FINANCIAL HISTOEY. 321 

In small states like ours, where tlie legislature gives but little pecuniary aid to 
found literary institutions or endow them, there remain, of course, greater exertions 
for well-disposed individuals to bring to maturity such seats of learning as we wish 
our College to become. But when we consider that thirty-three years only have passed 
since the foundations of our College edifice were laid, the progress of the Institution 
has not been very inconsiderable, though many impediments during that time have 
much retarded the wished for increase of students. The great Revolutionary war, in 
which we obtained our independence, was a great stagnation to our Institution, the 
College edifice having been taken and applied to the use of a hospital and for barrack- 
ing the troops nearly one-sixth part of the whole time from its foundation to this day. 
This circumstance, with others, furnishes certainly suflBcient motives to induce us to hope 
for, and expect, many more patrons and promoters of literature to step forward and advance 
the College, under your directions. Being located in the centre of New England, and 
with one of the most liberal charters that has ever been granted, to warrant and secure 
a fair and generous equality to be extended to every religious sect, I do most sincerely 
recommend the promotion of its highest interests to every branch in the government 
of the College. And as the most beautiful and handsome mode of speaking was a 
principal object, to my certain knowledge, of the first friends of this College, I do wish 
that the honorable the Corporation may find means during their deliberations of this 
week, to establish a Professorship of English Oratory, and that suitable funds for the 
purpose may be so placed, that the annual income only can be touched for the salary 
pertaining to such a Professorship. 

I am, Gentlemen, with great regard, your obedient servant, 

John Bkown. 

The letter having been read, it was 

Voted, That the President, Dr. Stillman and Dr. Benjamin Bourne be a committee 
to wait on Mr. Bi-own, to communicate to him the high sense this Corporation entertains of 
his very important services rendered to the public in the establishment and very liberal 
patronage of this College ; and that they deeply regret his absence from this annual 
meeting, and much more so the cause of it ; and to assure him that they hope and 
trust that his health may be restored, and his life and usefulness long protracted ; and 
to request of him liberty to continue his name as a Trustee of the College. 

Mr. Brown died a few days afterwards, and the following year 
his son-in-law, Mr. James Brown Mason, a graduate of the College 
in the class of 1791, was appointed a Trustee in .his place. 

41 



322 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

From the annual reports of Mr. Brown on file, and also from 
his accounts, we gather a few names to record among the bene- 
factors of the Institution: — 

£ s. d. 

1775. Sept. 14. Hezekiah Smith, 14 

" " Jobn Stites, of Elizabethtown, - - ■ - 1 2 11 

1783. " 2. Thomas Gair, (collections,) - - - - - 13 7 4 

" 6. "Worthy Mr. Longfray's donation," - - - 12 

Oct 2. Caleb 'Blood, of Newton, (collections,) - - - 8 15 9 

Dec. 30. Rev. Benjamin Wallin's legacy, - - - - 33 6 8 

1788. Sept. 9. Rev. William Vanhorn, (collections in Pennsylvania 

and New Jersey,) 21 12 

1791. May 3. Miss Hannah Ward, legacy, - - - - 12 

Sept. 8. Rev. William Yanhorn, (collections,) - - ' - 21 10 8 

" " " William Holroyd, (collections.) - - - - 34 4 

Total, ----- £159 3 4 

Mr. Wallin, whose name is included in the foregoing list, was 
a clergyman of London, and a correspondent of Dr. Manning. 
He died near the close of the Revolutionary war, bequeathing to 
the College the sum of twenty-five pounds, sterling. Some of 
his letters are published in Manning and Brown University. Miss 
Ward, who left a small legacy to the College, was probably a 
relative of Governor Ward, and a resident of Newport. It is to 
be regretted that such instances of remembrance among the early 
friends of the Institution are not more frequent in these later 
times. 

Mr. Brown was succeeded in the Treasurership by his nephew, 
the Hon. Nicholas Brown. His accession to office marks an era 
in the history of the University. For twenty-nine years he con- 
ducted its financial affairs with imsurpassed zeal and efficiency, 
contributing to its funds and resources during this period, and 
until his death, in money, lands and buildings, upwards of one 
hundred and sixty thousand dollars. He began his benefactions 
in February, 1792, by presenting to the Corporation, as has 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 323 

already been stated in a previous chapter, the sum of five hun- 
dred dollars, for the purchase of law books for the Library. In 
1803, the Corporation 

Voted, That the donation of five thousand dollars, if made to this College -within 
one year from the late Commencement, shall entitle the donor to name the College. 

This was in accordance with a provision of the charter, 
authorizing the Trustees and Fellows to name the Institution in 
honor of its most distinguished benefactor. Several previous 
votes of this kind appear on record. To the wishes of his friends, 
as implied in the foregoing vote, Mr. Brown gracefully responded, 
by making to the College a donation of five thousand dollars, to 
remain in perpetuity, as a fund for the establishment of a Profes- 
sorship of Oratory and Belles Lettres. The letter accompanying 
this donation has already been given in our "Historical Sketch." 
The fund thus established, was allowed to accumulate from year 
to year, until it had more than doubled. In 1826, one hundred 
shares in the stock of the Bank of North America, amounting to 
ten thousand dollars, were purchased by the Treasurer, which 
shares constituted for many years the Special Fund for the said 
Professorship. 

In 1825, Mr. Brown was elected a Fellow of the University, 
and the office of Treasurer being thus made vacant, his place 
was filled by the election of his nephew, the late Mr. Moses 
Brown Ives. The first annual report made by Mr. Ives, was in 
September, 1826. From it we learn that the permanent funds 
of the University, at that time, were as follows : — 

100 shares in Bank of North America, (Special Fund,) - - - $10,000 

3 shares in Providence Bank, - - 1,200 

21 shares in Rhode Island Union Bank, 2,100 

150 shares in Union Bank, - - - - - - - - 7,500 

25 shares in Manufacturers Bank, 2,500 

James Rhodes's note ou demand, 8,000 

Total, $31,300 



324 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

The Special Fund of ten thousand dollars has already been 
accounted for. Of the twenty-one thousand three hundred dol- 
lars, four thousand five hundred dollars were obtained in the 
beginning by the Rev. Morgan Edwards, two thousand dollars 
were obtained from Congress in 1800, for damages done to the 
College edifice during the war, and the balance of fourteen thou- 
sand eight hundred dollars was obtained from small donations 
and legacies, and the accumulations of interest, but mainly through 
lotteries. Lotteries, it will be remembered, were formerly a very 
common method of obtaining funds for charitable and religious 
purposes, not only in Rhode Island but throughout the country. 
At a special meeting of the Corporation held December 23, 1795, 
it was 

Voted, That the Chancellor, together with the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, Messrs. John 
Brown, Joseph Nightingale, John Smith, Welcome Arnold, David Howell and Nicholas 
Brown, be a committee to apply to the General Assembly of this State at their ensuing 
session, praying, in behalf of the Corporation, for the grant of a lottery to raise a 
sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars, to be applied to the use of this 
Institution. 

The application, it appears, was successful, for at the annual 
meeting of the Corporation in 1798, it was 

Voted, That the College lottery shall commence drawing the second Wednesday 
in October next. 

In 1811, it was 

Voted, That Nicholas Brown, James B. Mason, James Khodes, John T. Child, 
and Moses Lippitt, Esquires, be appointed a committee to apply to the General Assembly 
of this State at the next session, for liberty to raise by lottery twenty thousand dollars, 
for the advancement of the interests of this Institution. That said committee be also 
requested to apply to the legislatures of Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut, 
for permission to sell tickets in those states. 

Whether this last lottery scheme was ever carried out, we 
have no means at hand for determining. 



FINANCIAL HISTOEY. 325 

In 1850, important changes were made in the system of 
instruction, and large additions were made to its permanent 
funds. As this constitutes an important part of the financial 
history of the University, we incorporate into our present work 
most of the printed report of the committee appointed to raise a 
fund of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, the state- 
ment of facts therein contained being taken chiefly from the 
report of President Wayland, made to the Corporation at a 
special meeting held March 28, 1850 : — 

In the year 1827, the property of the University con.sisterl of the College premises ; 
two buildings, used as lecture rooms and dormitories for students ; and funds to the 
amount of $34,500. 

Since that time, two edifices, one for the Library and Chapel, the other for lecture 
rooms and cabinet, and a hovise for the President, have been erected by the liberality 
of the late Hon. Nicholas Brown, and other friends of the Institution. Also a fund 
of twenty-five thousand dollars has been raised by private munificence for the improve- 
ment of the Library, and for procuring suitable apparatus for Chemistry and Natural 
Philosophy. 

These contributions, though indispensable to the well-being of the University, have 
added nothing to the income by which the cost of tuition could be reduced, or the 
salaries of the officers of instruction increased. 

A considerable portion of the income of the fund has, by necessity, been consumed 
in repairs and other incidental expenses. The residue, and the receipts for tuition, 
have constituted all the means in the hands of the Corporation for the support of the 
President and other officers of instruction. The salaries which were paid twenty 
years ago, are now rendered wholly inadequate, by the increased expensiveness of 
living ; and for a considerable period the officers have been obliged to support them- 
selves, in part, from their own funds. 

Such being the circumstances, the Professors presented, in the year 1848, a memo- 
rial to the Corporation, asking for an increase of their salaries. The case was so urgent, 
that the committee of advice was directed to comply with their request. The salaries 
were therefore raised two hundred dollars each. It was, however, found that this 
increased compensation would exhaust the existing fund, and soon render the College 
bankrupt. 

To prevent a result so disastrous, and at the same time to afibrd the Professors a 
reasonable compensation, the Corporation resolved to raise, by subscription, the sum of 



326 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY, 



FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS to meet the pressing wants of the University. This effort 
proposed no material change in the system of instruction, nor any increase in the 
number of officers ; and, as is well known, it resulted in failure. 

At the annual meeting of the Corporation in 1849, President Wayland tendered 
his resignation. He was urged to reconsider the subject ; a committee of conference 
was a|)pointed, and the Corporation adjourned to meet in December of the same year. 
At this adjourned meeting the President made a verbal statement of his views in 
reference to some changes in the system of instruction, and a committee, of which he 
was chairman, was appointed to report more fully at an adjourned meeting to be held 
in March, 1850. 

This report, drawn up by Dr. Wayland, was printed, and has been widely cii'cu- 
lated. It proposed material changes in the system of instruction ; that the range of 
studies be greatly extended ; and as a basis for carrying the plan into effect, that the 
sum of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars be raised by subscription. The 
report was unanimously adopted, and a committee of solicitation appointed, who entered 
immediately upon the discharge of their duties. The success of the subscription was, 
at the outset, rendered almost certain by the munificence of a few individuals, who 
came forward, without solicitation, and nobly pledged sums to the amount of sixty-five 
thousand dollars, on condition that the remainder should be subscribed by responsible 
persons on or before the 5th day of September, 1850. The committee were met both 
in this city and in other places by a cheerful liberality, which made the work of solici- 
tation a pleasure ; and at a meeting of the Corporation held on the stipulated day, the 
committee had the satisfaction to announce that the entire sum had been subscribed. 

The subscriptions are as follows : — 



John Carter Brown, Providence, 
Alexander Duncan, " 

Estate of Thos. P. Ives, (Mrs. 
Hope Ives, $6,000 ; Mrs. C. R. 
Goddard, $1,000 ; M. B. Ives, 
$9,000; R.H.Ives, $4,000,) 
Providence, . . . 

H. N. Slater, Providence, 
Estate of Samuel G. Arnold, do. 
Isaac Davis, Worcester, 
Amasa Man ton, Providence, 
A. & W. Sprague, Warwick, 
Marshall Woods, Providence, 
Edward Carrington, " 
Seth Adams, Jr., " 

Philip Allen, 
Philip Allen, Jr., 



$20,000 
20,000 



20,000 
5,000 
2,000 
2,000 
2.000 
2,000 
2,000 
1,500 
1,000 
1,000 
1,000 



Zachariah Allen, Providence, $1,000 

James Arnold, New Bedford, 1,000 

Isaac M. Bull, New York, 1,000 
William P. Bullock and Julia 

Bullock, Providence, 1,000 

Crocker & Brothers, Taunton, 1,000 

George Cummings, Cambridge, 1,000 

Jacob Bunnell & Co.. Providence, 1,000 

George W. Hallett, " 1,000 

George Howland, New Bedfurd, 1,000 

Earl P. Mason, Providence, 1,000 

John A. Parker, New Bedford, 1,000 

Thomas Eichardson, Boston, 1,000 

George R. Russell, West Roxbury, 1,000 

A Friend, by George R. Russell, 1,000 

Robert G. Shaw, Boston, 1,000 

Michael Shepard, Salem, 1,000 



FINANCIAL HISTOEY. 



327 



Esther Slater, North Providence, $1,000 

A. D. & J. Y. Smith, Providence, 1,000 

Francis Wayland, " 1,000 

William Baylies, West Bridgwater, 700 

Nathan Appleton, Boston, 500 

Samuel Appleton, " 500 

William Appleton, " 500 

William Blake, " 500 

Isaac Brown, Providence, 500 

Thomas Burgess, " 500 

Josiah Chapin, " 500 

James W. Converse, W. Roxbury, 500 

Richard Fletcher, Boston, 500 

John B. Francis, Warwick, 500 
I. P. & R. G. and Rowland Hazard, 

South ivingstown, 500 

Benjamin Hoppin, Providence, 500 

Charles T. James, " 500 

Moses B. Jenkins, " 500 

Edward King, Newport, 500 

Daniel Paine, Providence, 500 
E. R. & J. B. M. Potter, S Kingstown, 500 

James T. Rhodes, Providence, 500 

Eliza B. Rogers, " 500 

Robert Rogers, Bristol, 500 

Orray Taft, Providence, 500 

Samuel Boyd Tobey, Providence, 500 

Richard Waterman, " 500 

Matthew Watson, " 500 

Benjamin R. Alray, " 300 

Richard J. Arnold, " 300 

Babcock & Moss, Westerly, 300 
Charles S. Bradley, Noith Providence, 300 

Alexis Caswell, Providence, 300 

George I. Chace, " 300 

Fearing & Hall, New York, 800 

P. Grinnell & Sous, Providence, 300 

Thomas J Hill, " 300 

George G. King, Newport, 300 

Henry A. Rogers, Providence, 300 

Charles Potter, " 300 

Alvah Woods. " 300 

William T. Dorrance, " 250 

Thomas R. Hazard, Portsmouth, 250 
Lawrence, Trimble & Co., New York, 250 

Edward Pearce, Providence, 250 

Thomas P. Shepard, " 250 



Joseph W. Fearing, Providence, $225 

John Barstow, " 200 

Nathan Bishop, Boston, 200 

William J. Cross, Providence, 200 

John Farnum, Philadelphia, 200 

William Gammell, Providence, 200 

Thomas L. Halsey, " 200 

Edward Harris, Woonsocket, 200 

Edwin Hoyt, New York, 200 

Shubael Hutchins, Providence, 200 

John Kingsbury, " 200 

Amos Lawrence, Boston, 200 

Samuel Lawrence, " 200 

Moses B. Lockwond, Providence, 200 

George C. Nightingale, " 200 

John Oldfield, " 200 

William H. Potter, " 200 

Providence Journal, " 200 

David Sears, Boston, " 200 

Charles N. Talbot. New York, 200 

John E. Thayer, Boston, 200 

Amos..C. Barstow, Providence, 150 
James P. Boyce, Charleston, S. C. 150 

Walter S. Burges, Providence, 150 
Fales, Lothrop & Co., Philadelphia, 150 

Seth Padelford, Providence, 150 

Jonathan Pike, " 150 

Henry Anthony, " 100 

Hezekiah Anthony, " 100 

Tully D. Bowen, " 100 

Joseph Carpenter, " 100 

Royal Chapin, " 100 

W. & G. Chapin, '• 100 

George Carlton, Boston, 100 

H. S. Chase, " 100 

T. P. Cushing, " 100 

A. B. Dike, Providence, 100 

Byron Diraan, Bristol, 100 

Alexander DeWitt, Worcester, 100 

Benjamin Finch, Newport, 100 

E. W. Fletcher, Providence, 100 

James N. Granger, " 100 

John Green, Worcester, 100 

George B Holmes, Providence, 100 

Ezra W. Howard, " 100 

Henry L Kendall, " 100 

H. R. Kendall, Brookline, 100 



328 



BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 



Jacob H. Loud, Plymouth, $100 

Marsh, Booth & Co., New York, 100 

John H. Mason, Providence, 100 

Owen Mason, " 100 

Joseph Mauran, " 100 

John Norris, Bristol, 100 

Samuel M. Noyes, Matanzas, Cuba, 100 

U. & C. W. Parsons, Providence, 100 

Sackett, Davis & Potter, " 100 

Francis G-. Shaw, Boston, 100 

Quincy A. Shaw, " 100 

S. a Shipley, " 100 

J. Smith, Barre, 100 

Otis Tufts, Boston, 100 

Thomas & Martin, Philadelphia, 100 

Sally Thompson, Providence, 100 

Elizabeth Waterman, Providence, 100 

Resolved Waterman, " 100 

Stephen Waterman, " 100 

Charles H. Welhng, Philadelphia, 100 

Samuel K. Williams, Boston, 100 

John Winthrop, New Orleans, 100 

Charles Thurber, Worcester, 65 

A. F. A die, Providence, 50 

Bradford Allen, " 50 

James B. Ames, Mobile, 50 

Jacob Babbitt, Bristol, 50 

Greorge M. Bartol, Lancaster, 50 

Thomas Brown, Providence, . 50 

James W. Cooke, New York 50 

Gilbert Congdon, Providence, 50 

Charles H. Childs, " 50 

James F. DeWolf, Bristol, 50 

William B. DeWolf, " 50 

William Fales, ■'' 50 

Thomas Fletcher, Providence, . 50 

Henry S. Frieze, " 50 

William S. French, " 50 

A. M. Gammell, Warren, 50 

M. A. D'W. Howe, Philadelphia, 50 

Thomas A. Jenckes, Providence, 50 

Thomas Kinnicutt, Worcester, 50 



Prudence C. Loring, Boston, 

H. & B. Lippitt, Providence, 

Merrick Lyon, " 

Silvanus G. Martin, " 

Pardon Miller, 

George Owen, " 

Smith Owen, " 

Samuel W. Peckham, " 

Isaac Ray, 

Henry Simon, " 

P. Tillinghast, New York, 

Isaac Thurber, Providence, 

EHsha Watson, South Kingstown, 

Benjamin F. Thomas, Worcester, 

Charles Washburn, " 

Ellis Ames. Canton, 

Francis W. Bird, Walpole, 

Alfred Bosworth, Warren, 

J. D. Burgess, Providence, 

Henry Chapin, Worcester, 

Ira Cleaveland, Dedham, 

Robert B. Cranston, Newport, 

William Douglass, Providence, 

William F. Dow, New Bedford, 

Barnum Field, Boston, 

Johnson Gardner, Seekonk, 

George Hunt, Providence. 

W. W. Keach, " 

Nehemiah Knight, New York, 

Whiting Metcalf, Providence, 

Hugh Montgomery, Boston, 

Ezekiel Owen, Providence, 

Pay ton & Hawkins, " 

L. R., Boston, 

Luther Robinson, Boston, 

Henry S. Washburn, Worcester, 

Lucy Snow, Boston, 

Crawford Allen, ($1,000, to be paid 

in yearly installments of $50,) 

paid in 



$50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
30 
30 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
20 



50 



Total, 



$127,995 



It was during this year, 1851, that the University came into 
possession of ten thousand dollars, bequeathed to the Corporation 
by the Hon. Nicholas Brown. In 1843, President Way land pre- 



FINANCIAL HISTOEY. 329 

sented to the University forty shares in the Blackstone Canal 
Bank, amounting to one thousand dollars, the income thereof to 
be annually appropriated in premiums, to be called the "Presi- 
dent's Premiums." This class of premiums, we may add, is 
awarded to those members of the Freshmen class who attain to 
the highest excellence in the studies preparatory to admission. 

A portion of the subscription fund of 1850 was expended in 
improvements and necessary repairs, as was contemplated upon 
the adoption of the "New System." The following abstract from 
the Treasurer's report for September, 1854, will show the condi- 
tion of the finances of the University at that time, and also where 
the funds were invested : — 

1. Common Fund. 

3 shares Providence Bank, par value, $1,200 

21 shares Rhode Island Union Bank, par value, - . . 2,100 

150 shares Union Bank, par value, - - - - - - 7,500 

25 shares Manufacturers Bank, par value, - . . . 2,500 

9 bonds New York Central Railroad Co. , 8,500 



Total, $21,800 

2. Nicholas Brown Professorship. 

13 bonds Providence & Worcester Railroad Co., payable in 1860, 13,000 

3. Nicholas Brown Bequest. 

6 bonds Second Mortgage New York & Erie Railroad Co., - - 6,000 
4 bonds First Mortgage Hudson River Railroad Co., payable in 1860, 4,000 

Total, - - $10,000 

4. Library Fund. 

1,000 shares Blackstone Canal Bank, - 25,000 

5. University Prize Fund. 

4 bonds Second Mortgage Hudson River Railroad Co., payable in 1860, 4,000 

4 Convertible Bonds New York & Erie Railroad Co., payable in 1871, 4,000 
1 Booth Mills Note, J. Pickering Putnam, Treasurer, dated July 1, 

1853, two years, - - - 4,000 



Total, $12,000 

42 



330 brown tjntversitt. 

6. President's Premium Fund. 

40 shares Blaokstone Canal Bank, $1,000 00 

7. Subscription Fund of 1850. 

1 note Amoskeag Manufacturing Co., dated November 22, 1852, 

five years, William Amory, Treasurer, - - . 13,000 00 

1 note Stark Mills, dated November 22, 18?3, five years, Wil- 
liam Amory, Treasurer, 13,000 00 

3 notes, S5,000 each, Amoskeag Manufacturing Co., dated Jan- 
uary 11, 1851, five years, 15,000 00 

1 note Bay State Mills, dated December 1, 1852, five years, 

Samuel Lawrence, Treasurer, . . . ^ . 6,500 00 

80 shares Bank of Commerce, Boston, . . . . 8,000 00 

300 shares Bank of Commerce, Providence, . - . . 15,000 00 

1 note Booth Mills, J. Pickering Putnam, Treasurer, dated July , 

1, 1853, ..--.--. 7,500 00 

1 note Blackstone Manufacturing Co., C. H. Dabney, Treasurer, 

on demand, 1,759 25 

35 bonds Providence & Worcester Railroad Company, due in 1860, 35,000 00 

1 bond Worcester & Nashua Railroad Co., payable May 1, 1855, 1,000 00 

3 notes belonging to Subscription Fund, due September, 1854, 

December, 1854, and June, 1855, .... 806 00 

Total, - $116,565 25 

Summary. 

Common Fund, $21,800 00 

Nicholas Brown's donation, (for Professorship,) .... 13,000 00 

Nicholas Brown's bequest, 10,000 00 

Library Fund, 25,000 00 

University Prize Fund, arising from the Hon. Nicholas Brown's bequest, 
saved from collections of one-half the rents of the Blackstone 
Canal Bank estate, from September, 1841, to September, 1853, 

(now constituting the Nicholas Brown Scholarships,)* - - 12,000 00 

President's Premium Fund, 1,000 00 

Subscription Fund of 1850, 115,759 25 

Notes due in 1854 and 1855, 806 00 

Total, $199,465 25 

♦$323.93 was due to the Providence Bank from this Fund, August 31, 1854. 



FINANCIAL HISTOEY. 331 

Mr. Ives died on the 7th of August, 1857, having managed 
the finances of the University during a period of thirty-two 
years, with rare devotion and skill. Not only in the discharge of 
the onerous duties of the Treasurership, for which he received no 
pecuniary compensation, but on all occasions, during the whole 
period of his life, he showed himself a firm and steadfast friend 
of the Institution where he received his education. 

He was succeeded by his brother, Mr. Robert Hale Ives, who 
was elected Treasurer at the annual meeting of the Corporation 
held the following month. He graduated at the University in 
the class of 1816. His large experience in financial affairs, and 
the warm regard which he, in common with his family and ances- 
tors, had ever shown for the Institution, preeminently fitted him 
for the Treasurership, a position which he held nearly ten years, 
or until the close of 1866. 

At the time when he entered upon his duties as Treasurer, 
the income of the College was not sufficient to meet its current 
expenses, and a debt in consequence accumulated, which threat- 
ened, in a few years, to impair seriously its resources and useful- 
ness. In this emergency it was determined to endeavor to raise 
by subscription the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dol- 
lars, for the payment of the debt, and for the general purposes of 
instruction. A part of the plan was to secure Scholarships of one 
thousand dollars each, the income of which, sixty dollars, should 
be appropriated to aid indigent and meritorious students in 
obtaining an education. On the 19th of August, 1859, an 
arrangement was made with the Rev. Horace T. Love, a graduate 
in the class of 1836, and formerly a Baptist missionary to Greece, 
to act as soliciting agent for both Brown University and Water- 
ville College, now Colby University. He immediately entered 
upon his work, in the prosecution of which he was aided by 
President Sears, who labored with untiring energy and zeal to 



332 



BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 



place the Institution over which he presided, upon a good finan- 
cial basis. Through their united efforts subscriptions amounting 
to upwards of ninety thousand dollars were secured, a part of 
which were applied to the extinguishment of the debt, a part to 
the building of the new Chemical Laboratory, and the remainder, 
wuth the exception of several conditional subscriptions not yet 
paid, were applied to Scholarships, an account of. which, and of 
the Laboratory, we have already given. See pages 279 and 808. 
The following is a list of the subscriptions, in addition to 
subscriptions for Scholarships and the Laboratory, obtained by 
Messrs. Love and Sears, (mostly by President Sears,) between 
the years 1859 and 1865 : — 



John Carter Brown, 

($16,000 for the erection of anew Library 

Building. 

10,000 for purchase of the Bowcn lot. 

3,S0O for repairs on Manning Hall. 

1,000 for New Chemical Laboratory. 

500 for planting trees in College Park. 



$30,000 



$30,000) 




Robert H. & Thomas P. Ives, 


16,000 


($3,000 for extinguishing the debt. 
2,000 for Scholarships. 
1,000 for New Chemical Laboratory. 
10,000 not specified. 




$ie,OO0) 




Samuel G. Arnold, 


l,ono 


Jefferson Borden, Fall Biver, 


1,000 


James Gr. Bolles, Hartford, 


1,000 


Gardner Colby, Boston, 


1,000 


Isaac Davis, Worcester, 


1,000 



Jacob Bunnell, Pawtueket, 


$1,000 


Edvrard Harris, Woonsocket, 


1,000 


John B. Hartwell, - 


1,000 


Jabez G. Knight, 


1,000 


Horatin N. Slater - 


1,000 


A. & W. Sprague, 


1,000 


Samuel Boyd Tobey, 


1,000 


Marshall Woods. 


1,000 


Matthew Rowland, New Bedford, 


500 


George Rowland, " " 


500 


Samuel M. Noyes, - - - 


500 


James T. Bhodes, 


500 



Total, 



$61,000 



In October, 1865, the Treasurer received from the executor 
of the late Hon. William Baylies, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 
the sum of two thousand dollars, the same having been bequeathed 
by him to the University. Mr. Baylies, to whom we have already 
alluded in our review of the triennial catalogue, graduated under 
President Maxcy, in the class of 1795. He died in Taunton, 
Massachusetts, September 27, 1865, aged eighty-nine years and 
twelve days. Such instances of remembrance on the part of the 
alumni of the University are pleasant to record. 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 



333 



Notwithstanding the improved condition of the University, 
the increasing number of students, and the additions made to 
the funds, the Professors were ill paid for their services, and the 
progress of the Institution was greatly retarded for want of a 
more complete endowment. It was determined, therefore, to 
make another vigorous effort on its behalf, and raise by subscrip- 
tion the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The 
wise and patriotic course of President Sears during the late war, 
his rare attainments as a scholar, and his distinguished services 
in the cause of popular education, had gained him warm friends 
on every hand, and favorably disposed the minds of the public, 
to whom he now appealed, towards the Institution over which he 
presided. His appeal met with a ready and generous response. 
Five gentlemen of Providence cheerfully subscribed twenty thou- 
sand dollars each, on condition that the required sum should be 
secured. This condition they afterwards relinquished on learning 
the urgent needs of the University, paying to the Treasurer the 
amount of their subscriptions, or giving security therefor, and 
paying interest from September 1, 1866. The President, assisted 
by Professor S. S. Greene, has also obtained liberal subscriptions 
in Massachusetts, mostly on condition that the required sum of 
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars be secured in full. We 
give the names of the subscribers thus far, remarking that the 
undertaking is still in progress, and that encouragement has been 
received of subscriptions from parties who are not yet prepared 
to put their names upon the President's book : — 



Horatio N. Slater, paid, $20,000 

William Sprague, " 20,000 

William S. Slater, " 20,000 

Earl P. Mason, " 20,000 
Wm. H. Reynolds, (interest paid,) 20,000 

Gardner Colbj, Newton Centre, 10,000 

Jefferson Borden, Fall Eiver, 9,000 

Isaac Davis, Worcester, 5,000 



J. Warren Merrill, Cambridge, $5,000 

Samuel Davis, Boston, 2,000 

Charles S Kendall, " 1,000 

James Upton, Salem, 1,000 

Joseph Sawyer, Boston, 1,000 

Lyman Tiffany, Cambridge, 1,000 

Stephen G. Allen, Boston, 1,000 

Mrs. Margaret Wood, " 1,000 



334 



BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 



John Holman, Boston, $250 
Jonah Gr. Warren, Newton Centre, 250 
B. F. Brooks, Boston. 250 
J. E. Taylor, Springfield, 250 
N. P. Mann & Co., Boston, 200 
Geo. C. Goodwin and Geo. D. Ed- 
munds, Charlestown, 200 
John C. Pratt, Boston, 200 
Edwin Hall, Philadelphia, 200 
Joseph A. Pond, Brighton, 100 
John Hanna, Philadelphia, 100 
John C. Davis, " ' 100 
J. G. Chase. Springfield, 100 
Thomas E Evans, Boston, 100 
S. G. Sowdlear, " 100 
Benjamin B. Converse, Boxbury, 50 



Total, 



$150,050 



J. W. Converse, " $1,000 

Matthew Bolles, " 1,000 

George K. & H. A. Pervear, Lynn, 1 ,000 

Hezekiah S. Chase, Boston, 1,000 

Joseph H. Converse, Cambridge, 1,000 

John R. Deane, Boston, 500 
E. C. Fitz, in behalf of the Carey 

Avenue Baptist Church, Chelsea, 500 
D. S. Ford & J. W. Olmstead, for 

Watchman & Beflector, Boston, 500 

Henry R. Glover, Cambridge, 500 

Gardner Chilson, Mansfield, 500 

Benjamin F. Brown, Boston, 500 

Thomas Griggs, Brookline, 500 

Cash, paid September 24, 1866, 500 

Benjamin F. Thomas, Boston, 500 

H. N. Tinkham, Springfield, 500 

S. A. Caldwell, Philadelphia, 300 

Ezekiel Blake, Springfield, 300 

In the summer of 1866, a subscription was started by Presi- 
dent Sears to obtain funds " to pay the expense of providing for 
instruction in military tactics by Col. F. Lippitt, for one year." 
The plan of thus establishing a military school in connection 
with the University, was for a time, however, abandoned. There 
is now, we are informed, an encouraging prospect of accomplish- 
ing in the most effective manner the object of such a school, 
under the auspices and general direction of the United States 
government. The names of the subscribers for this military 
fund are hereby given, in accordance with the general plan of 
our work. Several of the persons named, it will be observed, 
have paid their subscriptions, the amount, three hundred and 
fifty dollars, having been expended by consent of the parties, in 
the purchase of the Cromwell portrait for Rhode Island Hall. 
The balance of the subscriptions will doubtless be cheerfully 
paid, whenever funds shall be needed for the purposes above 
specified: — 



Ambrose E. Burnside, 
TuUy D. Bowen, 
Earl P. Mason, 



^50 
50 
50 



E. P. Taft, 

John F. Chapin, - 

Henry B. Anthony, 



50 
50 



FINANCIAL HISTOEY. 



335 



A. S. Gallup, 
Rufus Watermaa, 
Royal C. Taft, paid, 
Jacob T. Seagrave, 
William M. Bailey, 
H. A. Hidden, - 
Cyrus Taft, - 
Henry Anthony, paid, 
Seth Adams, Jr., - 
John M. Mason, 
J. Dunnell, - 
W. T. Dorrance, paid, 
William Sprague, " 
William B. Weeden, paid. 



50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 



Truman Beckwith, 
Samuel Foster, - 
Robert H. Ives, 
William Groddard, 
J. P. Balch & Son, 
Amos D. Smith & Co. 
Thomas A. Jenckes, 
Usher Parsons, - 
Amos C. Barstow, 
B. K. Glezen, - 
Seth Parlelford, paid, 
Elisha Dyer, 

Total, 



paid, 



$50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
25 



$1,575 



At the annual meeting of the Corporation held in September, 
1866, Mr. Ives resigned the Treasurership. For nearly a century 
the financial affairs of the College had been managed, as we have 
seen, with uncommon wisdom and skill, by the representatives of 
a single family. It is doubtful if a similar instance can be found 
in tiie history of any other College ; — and it is certain that four 
successive treasurers thus related cannot be found, who have 
displayed such remarkable munificence, ability, and zeal in pro- 
moting the welfare of an institution of learning. For this the 
names of John Brown, Nicholas Brown, Moses Brown Ives, and 
Robert Hale Ives will be held in everlasting remembrance, by 
the graduates and friends of Brown University. 

An abstract from Mr. Ives's last annual report to the Corpora- 
tion, presents a brief statement of the invested funds of the 
University, and also of the receipts and expenditures for the 
year ending August 31, 1866 : — 



Invested Funds. 



1. Common Fund, 

2. Library Fund, 

3. President's Premium Fund, 

4. Aid Fund, 

5. Jackson Prize Fund, 



$173,800 

25,000 

1,000 

5,000 

1,250 



6. Scholarships Fund, 

7. Agricultural Fund, 

8. New Subscription, 

Total, 



$38,000 

1,000 

20,000 

$265,050 



336 



BROWN "UNIVEESITY, 



Receipts for the Current Year. 



Collected from students through 

the Register, - - $14,408 14 

Income of invested Funds, 14,340 43 
Orders on Scholarships, 3,040 00 

Orders on Aid Fund, 485 00 



Bequest of William Baylies, $2,000 00 
Old debit to Scholarships trans- 
ferred, - - - 2,841 55 



Total, 



Disbursements. 



Repairs, - - - 
Expenses, . - - 
Salaries, - - - 
Balance of Laboratory account 
transferred, - - - 



$3,041 92 

5,938 91 

18,127 50 

8,467 55 



,115 12 



29 03 



Interest on Draft, - 

Loan from Library Fund repaid, 

with interest, - - 1,456 41 



Total, 



$37,061 41 



Mr. Ives was succeeded in the Treasurership by Marshall 
Woods, M. D., a graduate of the University in the class of 1845. 
He entered upon his duties soon after his return from Europe, or 
about the 1st of January, 1867. Mr. Woods, it may be remarked, 
is allied to the Brown family, having married Anne Brown Francis, 
a descendant, on her father's side, of John Brown, the third Treas- 
urer of the College, and on her mother's side, of the Hon. Nicholas 
Brown. 

The following is the Treasurer's statement of the invested 
funds of the University April 12, 1867, the time when these 
sheets are passing through the press : — 



Common Fund, including the 
amount of new subscrip- 



tion paid in. 
Scholarships Fund, 
Library Fund, 
Aid Fund, 



$213,853 75 

40,797 50 

25,000 00 

6,000 00 



Jackson Prize Fund, 
President's Premium Fund, 
Agricultural Fund, 

Total, 



$1,250 00 
1,000 00 
1,000 00 

$288,901 25 



The following is a brief summary of all the legacies and 
bequests that have been made to the College during the first 
century of its existence, or at least all of which we have any 
knowledge : — 



1772. Rev. Dr. John Gill, of London, books. 
1783. Rev. Benjamin Wallin, of London, 
1791. Miss Hannah Ward, 



$125 
40 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. , " 337 

1806. Kev. Isaac Backus, of Middleborougli, books. 

1818. Rev. William Richards, LL.D., of Lynn, England, books. 

1841. Hon. Nicholas Brown, $22,000 

" " " lands, estimated present value, - - 150,000 

1853. Hon. James Tallmadge, LL.D., of New York, - - - - 1,000 

1865. Hon. William Baylies, LL. D., 2,000 

Total, 1400 volumes, and lands and money to the amount of - - $175,165 

The following is a summary of the various subscriptions for 
the College, or University, of which an account is given in the 
present work : — 

1766-71. Miscellaneous subscriptions, (pages 318-19,) - - - $1,043 
1767-68. Subscriptions obtained in England and Ireland by Morgan 

Edwards, (pages 149-63,) 4,500 

1769-70. Subscriptions obtained in South Carolina and Georgia by 

Hezekiah Smith, (pages 113-226,) - - - - 2,500 

1770-71. For the erection of the College buildings, (pages 235-41,) 9,480 

1775-91. Miscellaneous subscriptions, (page 382,) ... 530 

1783. For the purchase of Philosophical Apparatus, (page 68,) 1,000 

1784. To purchase books for the Library, (page 68,) - - 2,800 
1809-10. For the University Grammar School, (pages 257-8,) - 1,452 

1825. For the Library, (page 80,) 840 

1881-2. For the Library Fund, (pages 83-7,) - - - - 19,438 
1838-9. For Rhode Island Hall and the President's House, (pp. 272-4,) 20,890 
1854-5. For the purchase of English books, (pages 90-4,) - - 5,060 
1847-8. Subscriptions of Providence churches for the encourage- 
ment of patristic learning, (pages 103-4,) - - 2,000 

1850-1. To raise a fund of one hundred and twenty-five thousand 

dollars, (pages 325-8,) -.---- 127,995 
1857-66. For portraits and bust in Rhode Island Hall, (pages 285-97,) 6,400 
1859-62. For the Chemical Laboratory, (pages 279-80,) - - 14,250 
1859-65. Subscriptions obtained by President Sears and Mr. Love, 
to extinguish debt, etc. , and not included in other sub- 
scriptions here enumerated, (pages 321-2,) - - 57,000 
1859-67. Subscriptions for Scholarships, (pages 308-13,) - - 41,000 
1865. For military instruction, (pages 834-5,) - - - - 1,575 
1866-7. New Subscriptions, (pages 338-4,) - - - ,- 150,050 

Total, $469,303 

43 



338 BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 

We close this chapter with such extracts from the last will 
and testament of the Hon. Nicholas Brown as pertain to the 
history of the University : — 

To my grandson Nicholas Brown, son of my oldest son Nicholas Brown, now 
living near the city of New York, I give, devise and bequeath my Brick House estate, 
situated in said Providence, and extending from South Main street to the river, the 
said house being now occupied by the Blackstone Canal Bank ; he my said grandson 
to come into the possession and enjoyment thereof, when he shall arrive to the age of 
twenty-one years ; and that the said estate shall not, for any cause or under any pre- 
tence, be sold before my said granrlson shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years, 
should he so long live ; and that until that period, the one-half of the rents and income 
of said estate, after deducting the repairs, taxes and insurance, be by my said execu- 
tors kept separate and apart, as a fund to accumulate, and on his arrival at that age, 
the same be paid over to him my said grandson, for his own use and benefit; and the 
other half of the said rents and income on said estate, after deducting as aforesaid, to 
be paid, as the same shall be collected, to the Corporation of Brown University, to be 
by them appropriated to the charitable purpose of aiding deserving young men in 
obtaining their education while members of said University. 

To the Corporation of Rhode Island College or Brown University, established at 
Providence, I give, devise and bequeath my undivided half part of the Corliss lots, so 
called, situated in Providence, and adjoining to their other College lots, and extending 
easterly therefrom to Hope street, to be and remain to them, their successors and 
assigns forever, they to come into possession and enjoyment of the same, in ten years 
after my decease. Also I give, devise and bequeath to the Corporation of Rhode 
Island College oT Brown University, the further sum of five thousand dollars, to be 
applied to building a house for the President of the Institution, on the Waterman lot, 
on Waterman and Prospect streets, unless I shall have erected such house in my life- 
time. Also the additional sum of five thousand dollars, to be appropriated in the 
erection of an edifice for minerals; these two last sums to be paid in one year after my 
decease. Also the sum of one thousand dollars towards making up the library fund, 
payable in eighteen months after my decease. Also the sum of twenty thousand 
dollars in cash, payable by my executors in ten years from my decease. Also I give, 
devise and bequeath to the Corporation of Rhode Island College or Brown Univeisity, 
the Hopkins estate and wall lots, situated south of the Colleges and on the northerly 
side of George street, in said Providence. 

Codicil. 

I have also in my said Will, and on the fourth page thereof, devised and bequeathed 
to the Corporation of Rhode Island College or Brown University, among other things. 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 339 

the sum of five thousand dollars to be applied to building a house for the President of 
the Institution, on the Waterman Lot ; also the sum of five thousand dollars to be 
appropriated to the erection of an edifice for minerals ; also the sum of one thousand 
dollars towards making up the Library fund ; all which things have been done, and to 
which I have contributed ; and the said bequests are therefore hereby revoked. And 
I have given to said Corporation of Brown University, by my said Will, and on the 
third page thereof, one-half of the net income of the rents and profits of my Brick 
House estate with the buildings thereon, extending from South Main street to the 
water, for and during the minority of my grandson Nicholas Brown, to whom the 
estate is devised in fee ; the half of said net income to be by said Corporation appro- 
priated to the chaiitable purpose of aiding deserving young men in obtaining their 
education while members of said University. And I do hereby recommend to said 
Corporation, and to the Faculty thereof, to accept of the advice and recommendation 
of the Warren Education Society, as to the persons who shall receive the benefit of 
such aid and assistance, when said Society shall offer their advice and recommendation 
in relation thereto. 

I have also by my said Will, on the fourth page thereof, given and bequeathed to 
said Corporation of Brown University, the sum of twenty thousand dollars in cash, 
payable in ten years after my decease, by my Pjxecutors. Now therefore, as a 
substitute and lieu of the said sum of twenty thousand dollars, I do hereby give and 
bequeath unto said Corporation of Brown University the sum of ten thousand dollars, 
to be paid by my Executors, within the time mentioned in said Will. 

To the Northern Baptist Education Society, in Massachusetts, I give and bequeath 
in addition to what I have before given to that Society, the sum of one thousand 
dollars, to be paid in ten annual payments of one hundred dollars each ; under the 
hope and expectation that said Society will assist such charity scholars as contemplate 
finishing their education at Brown University. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 



1769—1866. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 




ARREN, as we have already stated, was the cradle of the 
^•^^^ infant College, and here the first Commencement was 
held, in the Baptist meeting-house, Wednesday, September 7, 
1769. The occasion drew together a crowd of people from all 
parts of the Colony, inaugurating, says the historian Arnold, the 
earliest State holiday in the history of Rhode Island. Seven 
young men, having completed the required course of study, took 
their "Bachelor's degree in the arts." Their names are thus 
entered by President Manning on his "Matriculation Roll": — 



William Rogees, - - 
Richard Stites, - - - 
Joseph Belton, - - - 
Joseph Eaton, - - - 
William Williams, - - 
Charles Thompson, - - 
James Mitchell Varnum, 



entered September 3, 17fi5, Newport, Rhode Island. 
" June 20, 1766, P]lizabethtowu, New Jersey. 
" November 4, 1766, Groton, Connecticut. 
" November 10, 1766, Hopewell, New Jersey, 
" November 10, 1766, Hilltowu, Pennsylvania. 
" November 10, 1766, Amwoll, New Jersey. 
May 23, 1768, Dracut, Massachusetts. 



Four out of these seven students came, it will be observed, from 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where the College had its origin. 
Rogers, the first student, and the only one from Rhode Island, 
became distinguished as a man of letters and as a preacher. He 



344 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

was chaplain of a brigade in the Continental army, and for many 
years was Professor of Oratory and Belles Lettres in the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania. He was also for some time previous to the 
war, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Stites 
was a brother-in-law of President Manning. He studied medi- 
cine and became a practising physician in the State of his birth. 
Dr. Stephen Gano, so long the pastor of the Baptist Church in 
Providence, studied medicine under him two years. Of Belton's 
personal history we have been unable to learn any particulars. 
Eaton was a son of the Rev. Isaac Eaton, to whom belongs the 
distinguished honor of founding Hopewell Academy. Williams 
settled in Wrentham, Massachusetts, as pastor of a Baptist chm^ch, 
and the principal of an academy, which, in his day, attained to 
high distinction as a literary institution. Of the many youth 
under his care upwards of eighty were fitted for his alma mater, 
among whom may be mentioned the Rev. Dr. Maxcy, successor 
to Manning, the Hon. David R. Williams, Governor of South 
Carolina, and the Hon. Tristam Burges. Thompson, the valedic- 
torian of the class, was a successful pastor of the Baptist Church 
in Warren, and afterwards for many years, of the church in 
Swansea. He was also a chaplain in the American army. Var- 
num became a successful lawyer and one of the most celebrated 
orators in the Colony of Rhode Island. He was also noted as 
a military man, and in 1777 was promoted by Congress to the 
rank of Brigadier-General. His biography, together with that of 
Rogers, Thompson, and Williams, may be found in our Life op 
Dr. Mai^ning. 

The following is the order of exercises for this Commence- 
ment, taken from the Providence Gazette and Country Journal. 
The valedictory oration in the hand-writing of the author, is 
among the documents preserved in the Library of the University. 
The publication of this oration, together with the Latin Saluta- 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 345 

tory, and the addresses of Williams, Varnum, and Rogers, we are 
reluctantly compelled to omit for the present: — 

1769. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. Richard Stites. 

2. The Americans, in their present Circumstances, cannot, consistent with good 

Policy, affect to become an Independent State ; a Forensic Dispute. 

James M. Varnum, William Williams. 

3. An Oration on Benevolence. William Rogers. 

4. Materia cogitare non potest ; a Syllogistic Disputation in Latin. 

William Williams, Joseph Belton, Joseph Eaton, 
William Rogers, James M. Varnum. 

5. The Oratorial Art; an Oration, with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Charles Thompson. 

Before proceeding to give in their order the exercises of the 
various Commencements that have heen held since the memora- 
ble "First Commencement," we may allude to some of the "acts 
and resolves" pertaining thereto. In looking over the records of 
the Corporation, we find under date of March 13, 1786, the 
following : — 

Resolved, That in future, the candidates for Bachelor Degrees, being alumni of 
the College,, shall be clad at Commencement in black flowing robes and caps, similar 
to those used at other universities. 

Resolved, That an exclusive right of famishing such robes and caps, for the use 
of the candidates, be granted and confirmed to an undertaker for the space of fifteen 
years ; and that Mr. Asher Bobbins be authorized to inquire for an undertaker, and 
find out the lowest terms on which such robes and caps may be obtained, and to report 
the same to the Faculty of the College for the time being, who are hereby authorized 
to complete the contract. 

The President now wears the classic "gown and cap," while 
half a dozen robes, worn in turn by successive speakers of the 
graduating class, serve to perpetuate the customs and usages 
of the past. In accordance with the so called progressive spirit 
of the age, we may expect ere long to see these badges and sym- 

44 



346 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

bols of scholastic life in the older universities of Europe, abolished 
in this democratic country of ours, which requires its represen- 
tatives abroad to dispense with ceremonial court dresses, and 
such like insignia of office and rank. 

Under date of September 6, 1787, we find it 

Resolved, That in future the Salutatory Oration at public Commencements, be 
assio-ned by the President ; that the Valedictory and Intermediate Orations be assigned 
by the classes ; and that the Syllogistic and Forensic Disputes, and such other exer- 
cises as they may judge necessary, be assigned by the President and Tutors ; and that 
in case any student shall refuse, or neglect to exhibit his part, or any of said exercises, 
in writing, at or before the time of the examination of his class for the honors of the 
College, the President and Tutors shall assign the part or parts of such delinquent or 
delinquents, to such others of the same class as they may think proper. 

It would thus appear that the Valedictorian was formerly 
appointed by his classmates, not so much perhaps on account 
of superior scholarship, as the possession of popular gifts and 
the graces of oratory. In this connection we uiay add, that 
the expenses of Commencement were, in the early history of the 
College, defrayed by the graduating class, those having the high- 
est parts paying the largest sums. Thus we find it stated in 
Bowen's Memoir of Tristam Burges, that this distinguished orator 
paid one hundred dollars, or nearly one-half the expenses of Com- 
mencement, in 1796, for the valedictory honors to which he had 
been assigned, while the Salutatorian 'paid eighty dollars. 

The following resolution, passed by the Corporation, Septem- 
ber 2, 1790, reads strangely to those who are accustomed to the 
quiet Commencements of the present day : — 

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Baptist Society, in future, to take 
effectual measures to prevent the erection of booths, or receptacles for liquors, or other 
things for sale, and all disorderly practices on the Baptist Meeting House lot, on 
Commencement days. 

Until within a comparatively recent period Commencement 
has been a general holiday, manufacturing establishments in the 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 347 

city and vicinity being closed, and the people crowding the streets 
to witness the Procession escorted by Col. Tillinghast's " Company 
of Cadets." or the " United Company of the Train of Artillery." 
Tents and booths were everywhere erected, and the day was given 
to mirth and enjoyment. Tuesday the undergraduate societies 
had their celebrations, and in the evening, from the beginning of 
Maxcy's administration down to the accession of Dr. Wayland to 
the Presidency, there were transparencies and an illumination of 
the College buildings, by the students. The change of time made 
in 1851, from September to July, tended to destroy much of the 
popular element of this Collegiate anniversary. After a short 
experience of two years the Corporation wisely returned to the 
time honored "first Wednesday in September," but in the estima- 
tion of the masses of the people, the glory of "Rhode Island 
Commencement" has departed. 

For more than half a century the exercises of Commencement 
were continued during both forenoon and afternoon, with an inter- 
val between. The present mode of conducting them was adopted 
in September, 1829. Since that time, and especially since about 
the year 1840, the "Commencement Dinner," at the close of the 
literary exercises in the church, has been a prominent feature of 
the day. 

The earliest printed "Order of Exercises" of which we have 
any knowledge, is dated 1795. The account of Commencements 
previous to that year has been obtained with great difficulty, 
mainly from files of the Providence Gazette, and from Rippon's 
Baptist Annual Register, published in London. A complete set 
of the printed Exercises from the year 1800, bound in a hand- 
some quarto volume, is among the documents that are carefully 
preserved in the archives of the University. 

The second Commencement of the College, and the first in 
Providence, was held in Mr. Snow's meeting-house, on the west 



348 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

side of the river, this being, at the time, the largest house in town. 
Here subsequent Commencements were held until 1776, when 
the new Baptist meeting-house was ready for use. The following 
are the anniversary exercises of the College for nearly a century, 
arranged in the order of their successive years : — 

17 70. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin, John Dennis. 

2. A Forensic Dispute. . - . - John Dennis, Theodore Foster, 

Samuel Nash, Seth Read. 

3. An Intermediate Oration on Catholicism. . - - - Theodore Foster. 

4. A Syllogistic Disputation in Latin. - - Theodore Foster, Respondent ; 

Samuel Nash, Seth Read, John Dennis, Opponents. 

5. The Valedictory Oration. Seth Read. 

" The business of the day being concluded," says the Gazette, 
" and before the Assembly broke up, a piece from Homer was 
pronounced by Master Billy Edwards, one of the Grammar 
School boys, not nine years old." This Edwards was a son of the 
Eev. Morgan Edwards. He graduated, it will be observed, in the 
class of 1776. 

1771. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. Samuel Ward. 

2. A Dialogue, on the necessity of perpetuating the Union between Great Britain 

and her Colonies. . . . . Thomas Arnold, Micah Brown. 

3. An Intermediate Oration on the Advantages of Peace. - Thomas Ustick. 

4. Justitia punitiva Dei est attributum ; a Syllogistic Disputation. 

Thomas Arnold, Respondent ; 

Micah Brown, Ranna Cossit, Benjamin Farnham, Opponents. 

5. A Forensic Dispute on ]jiterature. - - Samuel Ward, Ranna Cossit, 

Benjamin Farnham. 

6. The Antiquity and Usefulness of Civil Law ; an Oration with the Valedictory 

Addresses. Thomas Arnold. 

1772. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. .... Joseph D. Russell. 

2. An Intermediate Oration on History. - - - - Elias Howell. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 349 

3. Soliloquy on Solitude. Joseph Appleton. 

4. An Oration on Agriculture, and the Pleasures of a Country Life. Joseph Harris. 

5. The Origin, Nature and Design of Civil Grovernment ; an Oration for the Master's 

Degree. James M. Varnum, (class of 17G9.) 

6. Mu-acula extitisse humano Testimonio probari potest ; a Syllogistic Disputation. 

Elias Howell, Respondent ; 

Joseph Appleton, Benjamin Greene, Ebenezer David, Opponents. 

7. Female Education ; an Oration for the Master's Degree. 

Eichard Stites, (class of 1769.) 

8. The Incomparable Advantages of Religion; an Oration with the Valedictory 

Addresses. Ebenezer David. 

1773. 
From a "Remonstrance of the Senior Class of Rhode Island 
College to the respectable the President and Professor of the 
same/' bearing date February 19, 1773, it appears that serious 
objections had been made to a Commencement for this year, on 
the ground mainly that the graduating class were not " orators." 
These objections were finally overruled, and Commencement was 
held as usual. The following account from the Diary of the 
Valedictorian, Doct. Solomon Drowne, is kindly furnished us by his 
grandson. Rev. Thomas S. Drowne, of Brooklyn. We publish it, 
instead of the regular Order of Exercises. The author, it may 
be observed, was an intimate friend of President Manning, and 
for many years was a Professor in the College. His portrait is 
in the Collection in Rhode Island Hall : — 

Wednesday, September 1. At length the day, the great, the important day, 
is come. may it prove propitious. Now we must pass from easy college duties 
into the busy, bustling scenes of life. At about ten o'clock, the Corporation being 
assembled, we walk in procession from the College Hall to the Rev. Mr. Snow's 
meeting-house, where the President introduces the business of the day by Prayer ; after 
which Nash addresses the assembly in a Latin Salutatory Oration ; then follows an 
English Oration, pronounced by Mr. Foster, upon the Discovery, progressive Settlement, 
present State and future Greatness of the American Colonies ; which is succeeded by 
a Syllogistic Disputation in Latin, (the Theses being previously distributed,) "An Vol- 



350 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

untati competit Libertas ? " wherein Litchfield is the Respondent, and myself, Padelford 
and Tillinghast, the Opponents. After this, Tillinghast delivers an Oration on Polite- 
ness, which finishes the exercises of the forenoon. 

The afternoon exercises begin with an English Oration for the Master's degree, 
upon Civil Liberty, by Mr. Dennis. The degree of A. B. is then conferred on myself, 
Joseph Litchfield, Jacob Nash, Philip Padelford and Henry H Tillinghast ; and the 
degree of A. M. on Messrs. John Dennis, Theodore Foster, Samuel Nash and Seth 
Read ; also on Doct. Thomas Eyre, Secretary of the College, and late of Yale College ; 
to which succeeded ray Valedictory Oration ; and then a most solemn and pathetic 
charge by the President to our class. The whole is concluded by Prayer. 

Now our palpitation and anxiety are over. * * Thus ends a day which has been 
long expected, but has passed forever. 

The following is President Manning's charge, to which allusion 
is made in the foregoing account, and for which we are indebted 
to Henry T. Drowne, Esq., of New York, also a grandson of Doct. 
Drowne. 

The practice of delivering a Baccalaureate Address, inaugu- 
rated by Manning, and followed by his successor, Maxcy, and 
for a time by President Messer, was afterwards discontinued. 

President Manning's Addkess. 

You will naturally expect that I should express the same affectionate regard for 
your welfare, as for that of those who have before shared the honors of this College, 
by giving you a parting charge. But if I thought you would expect and imagine I 
would give it as a mere thing of course, and with unfeeling formality, T should either 
entirely omit it, or endeavor to conceive it in such terms and utter it with such tones 
as would convince you of my earnestness. But even to suggest that you were all 
capable of such unaccountable insensibility, would be highly injurious to your character, 
for which T publicly profess the most tender concern. 

With you I consider the scene now shifted, and you to have exchanged the retire- 
ment of a college for the clamorous, or at least busy, scenes of life; — that agitated 
ocean on which, unless Providence is distingui shingly propitious, you may expect to 
find full exercise for all your abilities, and at last perhaps scarce weather out the storms, 
with honor and advantage, which will gather and thwart even a virtuous course. 

To lay down general rules and useful maxims for your future conduct, is a matter 
extremely easy ; for you to adopt and apply them, untutored by experience, is not so 
easy. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 351 

Experience is a kind of knowledge that is purely personal, and hence arise the 
numberless mistakes of inadvertent youth ; yet, from an attentive view of life, much 
may be learned from others, for causes similar will be productive of similar effects. 
The same course of action which has brought infamy on others, will involve you also ; 
and the virtuous, useful life of others points you directly to that reputation which 
they have acquired. So far, then, success may be hoped for from wholesome lectures 
read to docile minds, and a suitable charge given to those who aim to tread the path 
of virtue and climb to solid reputation. 

The sagacious public will not only discern your quantity of capacity, but decide 
who of you have most exerted yourselves to improve in knowledge ; and, small as this 
class is, and numerous as the disadvantages under which it has labored are, I am not 
without hopes of seeing at least some of its members distinguish themselves amongst 
the sons of science. 

If a proper foundation has not been laid in your first studies to initiate you into 
the knowledge of letters, I believe you will do your Instructors the justice to impute 
it to something else as the cause, rather than to their inattention to your interest or 
their duty. 

And though a course of four years in college without forfeiting a standing by 
vicious conduct is generally thought sufficient to entitle to a degree, yet something 
more than possessing a diploma must prove that you merit it. I therefore charge you 
to press forward with hasty steps in the road to knowledge, and if an immature age, a 
fickle and indolent temper, or but a moderate capacity has distanced you in the race, 
let more confirmed age, future activity and redoubled diligence urge you on with a 
noble ambition at once to even outdo yourselves, and agreeably disappoint the expecta- 
tions of your friends. 

In forming your connections, as well as in all your undertakings, proceed with the 
utmost caution. The neglect of this has proved the ruin of thousands. 

Be slow to speak, but swift to hear ; be angry only when absolutely necessary, and 
then you will not be likely to exceed due bounds. Despise the narrow, contracted 
principle which actuates the selfish, and only think you deserve the character of men 
when you affectionately love and glow with ardor to promote the happiness of all 
mankind. Your personal wants are few, unless unnecessarily multiplied by yourselves, 
and consequently you may expend much on the public. 

Remember that the lowest calling in life may be honored by a proper attention 
paid to the duties of it, and that the highest may be degraded by the neglect of them. 
Aspire not, therefore, to an exalted station without conscious worth to entitle you to it, 
and an unshaken resolution to support it. 

Despise as well those fetters of the mind forged by devoted bigots to opinion, as 
those for the body by tyrannic princes and legislatures. 



352 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

Challenge the glorious prerogative of thinking for yourselves in religious matters, 
and generously grant to others without a grudge what you yourselves deem the dearest 
of all blessings. 

I have a right to expect your friendship for this College, and your strenuous 
exertions in its just vindication, while I interdict an ungenerous partiality. 

Make religion your first, your great, your only concern. Converse intimately 
with death by devout meditation. Read with the closest attention the Scriptures of 
God, and by their aid realize the awful, glorious realities of eternity. Make them 
alone the standard of both your faith and your practice. Refute the daring, licentious 
infidel with a holy life, without which the most holy profession is both utterly incredible 
and unavailing. 

And should any of you assume the character of a Christian preacher, I warn you 
to beware of touching this sacred Ark with unhallowed hands. Remember the awful, 
ever memorable fate of those who offered strange fire ; such will yours be, except your 
hearts are purified with the faith of the Grospel. 

Finally, we must all meet at the august tribunal of the Supreme Judge, to hear the 
decisive sentence according to our characters. May this, my dear pupils, be to you 
an introduction into everlasting joy. 

1774. 

1 . The Salutatory Oration in Latin. Timothy Jones. 

2. Theatrical Exhibitions corrupt the Morals of Mankind, and are prejudicial to the 

State ; a Disputation. ... - D wight Foster, Respondent. 

Elias Penniman, Opponent. 

3. An Oration on the Necessity and Advantages of Cultivating our own Language. 

John Dorrance. 

4. An Dictamina Conscientiae sunt semper obtemperanda ? a Syllogistic Dispute. 

John Dorrance, Respondent. 

Barnabas Binney, Dwight Foster, Timothy Jones, 

Elias Penniman, Opponents. 

5. Patriotism ; an Oration for the Master's Degree. Samuel Ward, (class of 1771.) 

6. Plea for Religious Liberty ; an Oration with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Barnabas Binney. 

1775. 
There was no Commencement this year, although the grad- 
uating class consisted of ten, being the largest class that had 
thus far been connected with the Institution. The recent battles 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 353 

of Lexington and of Bunker Hill had electrified the public, and 
turned their attention from literary performances to the stern 
realities of civil war. For an interesting correspondence between 
the Senior Class and the President, in reference to Commence- 
ment, and the great and perilous issues of the day, see Manning 
AND Brown University, pp. 24-41. 

1776. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. John P. Mann. 

2. An Oration on the Advantages of Literature. - - - Jabez Thayer. 

3. An Oration on Toryism and Negro Slavery. - - Abraham Cummings. 

4. An Leges Divinae aliquid ultra Vires humanas ab Hominibus cxigunt ; a Syllo- 

gistic Dispute. - - - - Jabez Thnjcr, Abraham Cummings. 

5. An Oration on the Education of Youth of both Sexes. - - - Curtis Coe. 

6. An Oration in Hebrew. ------ Abraham Cummings. 

7. An Oration on Liberty ; with the Valedictory Addresses. Ebenezer Dutch. 

1777—1782. 
During 'these years there was no Commencement. From 
December 7, 1776, until May 27, 1782, the course of studies was 
suspended, and the College edifice was occupied for barracks, and 
afterwards for a hospital, by the American and French forces. 

178 3. 
No record has been preserved of the order of exercises of 
this Commencement. The Providence Gazette says : " As soon 
as the Corporation had taken their seats, the audience were 
entertained with an anthem ; after which, the President made a 
prayer well adapted to the occasion. The candidates then 
proceeded to perform their respective parts, which consisted of 
several orations on different subjects, and a forensic disputation. 
An oration was likewise delivered by Dr. James Mann, of Har- 
vard College." 

The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on Jacob Camp- 
bell, George Tillinghast, John Tillinghast, Othniel Tyler, and 
William Wilkinson. 

45 



354 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

In the evening, the Rev. Dr. Stillman preached an animating 
sermon from Luke 15 : 32 : — "It was meet that we should make 
merry and be glad ; for this thy brother was dead and is alive 
again, and was lost and is found." 

1784—1785.- 
The old stock of undergraduates, so to speak, having become 
exhausted, there was no further Commencement until the Fresh- 
men Class that entered in 1782, were prepared to take their 
Bachelor's degree. 

1786. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. James Manning. 

2. An Oration on the Study of History. Oliver Bowen. 

3. A Dialogue upon the Four Elements. Benjamin B. Carter, Joseph Mason, 

Jairus Hall, Eobert L. Annan. 

4. An Oration on the Advantages of Commerce. - - Nicholas Brown, Jr, 

5. The Rise and Progress of Science ; an Oration for the Master's Degree. 

Othniel Tyler, (class of 1783 ) 

6. A Forensic Dispute on the Question: — Whether it would not have been better 

for America to have remained dependent on Great Britain ? 

Benjamin Woods, Edmund Freeman, Jonathan Gould, Timothy Greene. 

7. Reflections upon Governments, and a Tribute to the Memory of our late departed 

friend. General Greene; an Oration for the Master's Degree. 

George TilHnghast, (class of 1783.) 

8. The Valedictory Oration, Lemuel Kollock. 

N. B, A Syllogistic Dispute between Messrs. Amos Wood, Preserved Smith and 

William Annan, was omitted for want of time. 

178 7. 

1. An Oration in Greek on Rhetoric. . . . . Abraham Crouch. 

2. An Oration on the present Appearance of public Afiairs in the United States of 

America; — portraying the superior advantages to be enjoyed by this country, 
and the public happiness rationally to be expected, in case the States shall 
harmoniously agree' on the great Federal measures necessary for the good of 
the whole, whereon the Convention have been some time deliberating at Phila- 
delphia, and recommending industry, the manufactures of our country and 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 355 

the disuse of foreign goods ; and soliciting the fair daughters of America to 
set the patriotic example by banishing from their dress the costly gewgaws and 
articles of foreign production. . . . . Nathaniel Lambert. 

3. An Oration on Agriculture ; its Antiquity, Importance, Advantages, and modes 

of Culture. Oliver Leonard. 

4. A Forensic Dispute on the Question : "Whether it be good Policy in the States 

on the Atlantic Shore, to promote an immediate Settlement on the Western 
Territory ? - Eli King, Negative, Jonathan Maxcy, Affirmative, 

Abraham Crouch. Negative, Oliver Leonard, Affirmative. 

5. An Oration on the Equality of Mankind as to Natural Talents, considered without 

Keference to Education. Oliver Hawes. 

6. An Oration on the Necessity in Republics of diffusing knowledge among the 

People. Abner Aid en. 

7. A Panegyric on the Policy and Conduct of the Athenians in encouraging Litera- 

ture and the useful Arts. - - Eli King. 

8. The Prospects of America, a Poem; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Jonathan Maxcy. 

Among the College documents, are " Proposals for printing 
by subscription" President Maxcy's Poem, which "gained," the 
paper states, "the universal applause of a large, crowded and 
polite assembly." It was published in a duodecimo form, with 
an appendix containing an historical account of the College and 
the State of Rhode Island. Signatures C and E of the work are 
on file in the Library of the University. 

. 1788. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin; a Retrospection the Ages of Learning. 

Simeon Doggett. 

2. An Oration in Hebrew, on the Eloquence of the Scriptures. Samuel Mead. 

3. A Forensic Dispute on the Question: — Whether those Nations which have 

been most eminent for Knowledge, have also been most eminent for Virtue ? 

Joshua Leonard, James Burrill. 

4. An Oration in Greek, on the Importance of Encouraging Genius. 

Josias Holbrook. 

5. A Dialogue in Blank Verse, on the Situation and Prospects of America. (Writr 

ten by John Turner.) - - - Benjamin Adams, Jesse Blackinton, 

Jabez P. Fisher, John Turner. 



356 BEOWN TJNIVEESITY. 

6. A Sketch on Creation. Jabez Bowen. 

7. An Oration in French, on Letters in General. - - - George Jackson. 

8. A Burlesque Poem on Political Projectors. - - - Stephen Tillinghast. 

9. An Essay on Original Genius. Hermann Daggett. 

10. A Comic Dialogue to ridicule False Learning. (Written by Harding Harris.) 

John Briggs, Harding Harris, George Jackson, 
Ebenezer Lazell, Benjamin Whitman. 

11. A Tribute to the Memory of our Departed Heroes. - - William Barton. 

12. A Poem on Liberty j with the Valedictory Addresses. Amos Maine Atwell. 

1789. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration on the Progress and 

Improvement of the Arts and Sciences in America. John C Nightingale. 

2. A Forensic Dispute on this Question: — Whether Columbus by discovering 

America benefited mankind'.' - - Edward Richmond, Paul Draper. 

3. An Oration on Patriotism. - - - - - Jeremiah B. Howell. 

4. A Funeral Oration on the Death of Levi Hayes, once a member of the graduating 

class. - - - - Nicholas Power. 

5 An Oration on Liberty. Thomas Park. 

6. An Oration on the Pleasures of the Imagination. - - Edward Eichraond. 

7. The Propriety and Importance of the Establishment of a Gymnasium for the 

Education of American Youth ; an Oration for the Master's Degree. 

Lemuel Kollock, (class of 1786.) 

8. A Poem ; with the Valedictory Addresses. - - - James Fenner. 

President Manning's Baccalaureate Address for this year is 
published in our former work, pp. 425-7. 

1790. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration, congratulating the 

State of Rhode Island upon her Accession to the Federal Government, and the 
Completion of the Union of the States. - - - - Peter Hawes. 

2. An Oration on the bad Effects of Party in a State. - - William Allen. 

3. An Oration in Greek, on the Slave Trade. - . - - Jacob Convers. 

4. A Forensic Dispute on the Question : — Would Mankind have been more happy 

than they now are, had the Earth spontaneously yielded her Fruits necessary 
for the Support of Man ? - - - - Job Nelson, Asa Messer. 

5. An Oration in French, in Praise of Eloquence. - - Benjamin H. Hall. 

6. The Second Intermediate Oration — Reflections on Happiness. - John Fitch. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 357 

7. The First Intermediate Oration — On the History of Commerce and Navigation, 

Moses Brown. 

8. An Oration on the Progress of Man from an uncivilized to a civilized State, com- 

paring his Happiness in those different States. - Nathaniel Drinkwater. 

9. A Forensic Dispute on the Question : — Is that generally received Maxim, " Hon- 

esty is the best Policy," founded in Truth? - - Nehemiah Shumway, 

Thomas Cobb. 

10. An Oration on the Benefit of Men of Genius to the World, exemplified particu- 

larly in the Life of Dr. FrankUn, with a Panegyric upon that truly great man. 

John Waldo. 

11. The Expediency of establishing a Federal University in America; an Oration 

for the Master's Degree. - - - Oliver Leonard, (class of 1787.) 

12. The Importance of subjecting the Passions to the Control of Reason, with the 

Influence of Education in producing this effect; an Oration for the Master's 
Degree. Abraham Crouch, (class of 1787.) 

13. An Oration on the Pleasures of the Fine Arts, and the Importance of making 

them a Branch of Study ; with the Valedictory Addresses. Abijah Whiting, 

President Messer, it will be observed, graduated with this 
class. 

1791. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin, on the History of Eloquence. William Hunter, 

2. A Dissertation : — Comparison of Ancient and Modern Literature. 

Samuel W. Baylies, 

3. An Oration on the Causes of the Difference of the Moral Faculty, 

George R. Burrill. 

4. A Dissertation on Civil Liberty. James Ellis 

5. A Dissertation on the following Question : — Is Fashion, everything considered, 

Beneficial to Mankind ? - - - - Elisha Fairbanks, John Morse, 

6. An Oration on Villainy considered as the Source of Empire, James B, Mason. 

7. An Oration in Greek : — Comparison of Demosthenes and Cicero. 

Chiron Penniman. 

8. An Oration on the Influence of the Fine Arts on Society, Samuel King, 

9. The Difference between Law and Constitution; — an Oration for the Master's 

Degree. James Burrill, (class of 1788.) 

10. An Oration on the Death of the Rev. President Manning. 

Simeon Doggett, (class of 1788.) 

11. The Past, Present and Future Prospects of America; — an Oration for the Mas- 

ter's Degree. Jabez Bowen, (class of 1788.) 



358 BROWN UNTVEESITY. 

12. The Kigbts of Brutes; — an Oration for the Master's Degree. 

Hermann Daggett, (class of 1788.) 

13. The Difference in the Spirit of Heroism in the Different Periods of Society; — 

an Oration for the Master's Degree. 

Josias L. Arnold, (a graduate of Dartmouth.) 

14. The Valedictory Oration. Jonathan Russell. 

At this Commencement the Hon. Judge Howell, who had 
long been connected with the College as Tutor and Professor, and 
afterwards as a Fellow of the Corporation, presided. His Address 
to the graduates, which we copy from Rippon's Baptist Annual 
Register, has been deservedly admired for its excellent counsel, 
and as a specimen of English undefiled. The Oration by Simeon 
Doggett, on the death of President Manning, is among the docu- 
ments on file in the Library of the University. Extracts from 
this Oration, it may be added, are published in our former work, 
pp. 455-7. 

Judge Howell's Address. 

Young Gentlemen : — The occasion which has devolved on me the duty of addressiiig 
you, cannot fail to impress your minds with an uncommon degree of seriousness. 

Your teloved President, from whose lips jou have been accustomed to receive 
lessons of wisdom, is not here to give you his last benediction ; he is gone to the world 
of spirits ; and, as we hope and trust, to receive the rewards of his labors of love and 
of virtue. 

The patrons of the College couM not, however, permit you to bid adieu to this 
Institution without authorizing one of their number to address you. 

Although I have not a personal acquaintance with all of you, and cannot, therefore, 
be supposed to entertain such an affectionate solicitude for your welfare as your imme- 
diate Instructors; yet the pait I have taken, as an overseer of your progress in learn- 
ing, and the former relation I sustained to this College for many years, as a teacher, 
awaken in me, on this solemn occasion, the most tender and sincere concern for your 
future welfare in life. 

The pittance of time alloted to a collegiate education, can suffice only to lay the 
foundation of learning : the superstructure must be reared by the assiduous attention 
of after years. 

This day enlarges you into the world. Extensive fields open to your view. You 
have to explore the scenes, and to make an election of the character that best pleases 
you on the great theatre of life. 



I 



- COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 359 

" Seekest ttou great things for thyself? Seek them not," said the ancient prophet 
to Baruck, his scholar and scribe. An overweening fondness for our own abilities, 
leads us, in the ardor of youth, to portray in our imagination future greatness. Time 
and experience only can correct the error, and reduce i\s to think of ourselves soberly, 
and as we ought. Human lire is full of disappointments. 

A readiness to listen to counsel is the surest mark of wisdom in youth. " In the 
multitude of counsellors there is safety." When, therefore, you are about to take any 
important step in life, omit not to consult your friends ; and let your decision be the 
result of deep reflection, and the most careful circumspection. 

If you wish for prosperity in your worldly affairs, rise early in the morning, and 
attend to your own business with diligence, punctuality, and order; pay a sacred regard 
to truth and justice ; live temperately, and moderate your passions by listening to the 
voice of reason. Take not the lead in fashions, nor suffer yourselves to be noted for 
singularity. Discover your knowledge on proper occasions, but avoid an affected and 
pedantic display of it. 

Let the rights of man ever be held sacred. A movnent's reflection will convince 
you, that others' rights are as inviolable as your own ; and a small degree of virtue 
will lead you to respect them. He that serves mankind most successfully, and with 
the best principles, serves his Creator most acceptably. Be cautious of bandying into 
parties ; they regard neither the abilities nor virtues of men, but only their subserviency 
to present purposes ; they are a snare to virtue and a mischief to society. With this 
caution on your miud, you will never revile or speak evil of whole sects, classes, or 
societies of men. 

In the choice of friends and companions, rather aspire to those above you in life, 
than sink to those below ; the former line of conduct will mark a generous ambition, 
the latter indicates baseness and exility of thought : from the former you are to expect 
advantages, and from the latter an incumbrance. To obtain this object, will require 
the extension of your abilities and the growth of your virtues. 

Never aim to rise in life by depressing others ; it is more manly to rely on the 
strength of one's own abilities and merit. Avoid publishing, or even listening to 
scandal. To mention, with pleasure, the virtues even of a rival, denotes a great mind. 

Trifle not with yourselves, nor suffer yourselves to be trifled with by others. If 
you riglitly estimate your own merit, the world will not long differ from you. Avoid 
contradictions, or soften them. Aim to instruct and entertain your company, rather 
than to divert them with the affectation of wit, and scurrility of a droll. 

Render to your superiors due respect. Order is Heaven's first law. Nature 
teaches subordination ; society demands it. The best soldiers make the best officers ; 
and the best citizens the best rulers. Yet carefully distinguish the honors paid to rank 
and ofl&ce, from those paid to personal merit ; and let the latter be the principal object 
of your ambition. 



360 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

Forget not this precious motto : "Nihil humanuin a me puto alienum." Consider 
every one in human shape as your brother ; and " let charity in golden links of love 
connect you with the brotherhood of man." Let your benevolence be broad as the 
ocean ; your candor brilliant as the sun, and your compassion and humanity extensive 
as the human race. 

The brevity and uncertainty of life, should admonish us never to procrastinate the 
duties of the present time. Of all things, our salvation is of the greatest moment. 
Man is fallen into a wretched state of sin and depravity, and needs a renovation of 
xiature — the implantation and cultivation of the sublime virtues of Christianity to 
restore him to his true dignity — to qualify him for happiness. The very natures of 
Grod and his creatures give birth to fixed and immutable relations between them. 
These are the foundations of virtue, and as solid as those of the everlasting mountains. 
It is not possible for man to become happy otherwise than by conforming to the laws of 
his nature ; by becoming really and truly such as man ought to be, in thought, word, 
and deed. 

The sacred Scriptures are to be the study of your lives ; nor let it be thought an 
employment beneath a gentleman ; Newton, Locke, and the most eminent philosophers 
studied and wrote commentaries on them. It is a mark of vanity to speak lightly of 
revelation. Not to admire those ancient and sublime books shows a want of ta?te in 
fine writing, as well of real judgment in discerning the truth. And here let me caution 
you never to ridicule whatever may be held sacred by any devout and judicious man. 
If you cannot join with him, at least do not disturb him by your irreverence. 

Young gentlemen, it is your good fortune to enter on life in a country peculiaifly 
favored by the bounteous hand of Nature, and blessed with the best government in 
the world. Your education distinguishes you among your fellows ; the eyes of many 
are fixed on you. Your parents and friends have, no doubt, the most flattering hopes 
of your future eminence : Do not disappoint them. The patrons of this College also 
feel a peculiar interest in your prosperity ; let nie entreat you, therefore, as you esteem 
your friends, as you respect the place of your education, resolve to act your parts in 
life well, and may Heaven strengthen you with grace so to do. 

The day is at hand when all of us, whether young or old now, must appear, and 
give an account of our conduct, before the Creator and Governor of the World. 
" That is the day of days ; the important day," as the Poet says, " for which all other 
days were made." Time, with all its concerns and enjoyments, will then vanish from 
our eager grasp — Eternity will then commence, and a solemn Commencement will 
THAT be. Your worthy President has gone before you. If you loved him, or if you 
even love yourselves, let me, in the most earnest and solemn manner, call on you to 
recollect, and imprint on your memory, his pious care over you, his faithful admonitions, 
and his amiable example ; and to prepare to follow him. 

In behalf the Corporation, Young Grentlemen, I bid you Farewell. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. ' 361 

1792. 

1. Tlie Salutatory Address in Latin, and an Englisli Oration on the French Revolu- 

tion. Bildad Barney. 

2. An Oration on the Advantages of Good Glovernnient. - - Paraclete Tew. 

3. A Dissertation in Greek on the Effects of Luxury. - - Eiehard M. Stites. 

4. An Oration on the Rise and Progress of Astronomy. - William W. Folwell. 

5. A Dispute on the Justice and Policy of emancipating the Slaves in America. 

William V. King, Eli Smith, Peter 0. Alden. 

6. An Oration on the Improvement of the Mind. - - Ebenezer Withington. 

7. An Oration on French Air Balloons. David Leonard. 

8. A Dissertation on prosecuting the War with the Indians. - Elijah D. Green. 

9. An Oration on the Theatre. Thomas C. Hazard. 

10. An Oration recommending Rhode Island College to the Patronage of the State. 

Jahaziah Shaw. 

11. An Oration on the Wealth of Nations. . . - Nathanael Hazard. 

12. An Oration on the Establishment of Societies in America. George Larned. 

13. An Oration on the Pleasures of the Imagination ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Thomas M. Clark. 

At this Commencement Judge Howell also presided, by special 
request of the Corporation. 

1793. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin on the Importance of Education to a Republi- 

can Government. Wilkes Wood. 

2. First Intermediate Oration, on the French Revolution. - Gilbert Dench. 

3. A Forensic Dispute on the Question: — Is it for the Interest of the United 

States to assist the French Revolution against its Enemies in the present War? 

William A. Leonard, Paul Allen, Jr. 

4. A Dissertation on the Importance of uniting Political Virtue with Political 

Power. .._----- Zephaniah Leonard. 

5. An Oration in Latin, showing that Anticipation is preferable to Enjoyment. 

George C. Bowen. 

6. A Dissertation on Moral Agency. - - . . Lemuel Wadsworth. 

7. Fourth Intermediate Oration on the present State and Prospects of America. 

Isaiah Weston. 

8. An Oration on the comparative Advantages of Savage and Civilized Life. 

Thomas L. Halsey, Jr. 
46 



362 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

9. Third Intermediate Oration on the Superiority of Agriculture to other Arts. 

John Hathaway. 

10. Second Intermediate Oration on Ecclesiastical Tyranny. William A. Leonard. 

11. A Dispute on the Question : — Ought the Ministers of the Grospel to be supported 

by Civil Government? ... Isaiah Weston, Greorge C. Bowen. 

12. An Humorous Dialogue. - - Zephaniah Leonard, John Hathaway, 

Lemuel Wadsworth, John Merrill. 

13. A Poem on the Happiness of America. - - - - Paul Allen, Jr. 

14. An Oration on the Philosophy of the Mind ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

John Merrill. 

1794. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration on the Progress of 

Eeason. Jeremiah Bailey. 

2. The Fifth Intermediate Oration on the Pleasures of Philosophy, with its Advan- 

tages to Government. Enoch Hazard. 

3. An Oration in Greek, on the Wealth of Nations. - - William Briggs. 

4. The Fourth Intermediate Oration, on the Effects of Luxury in Empires. 

Daniel Warren. 

5. A Dispute on this Question : — Whether the Use of Spirituous Liquors is advan- 

tageous to Mankind ? - - John Miles, John P. Little, Mason Shaw. 

6. The Second Intermediate Oration, on Science as the Source of Empire. 

Nathanael Searle. 

7. The Eleventh Intermediate Oration, on Simplicity. - - William Grant. 

8. The Seventh Intermediate Oration, on Education. - Stephen S. Nelson. 

9. The Tenth Intermediate Oration, on the Progress of Revolutions in Nations. 

Samuel Watson. 

10. The Sixth Intermediate Oration, on the Absurdity of paying Deference to Custom 

and Precedent. Zenas L. Leonard. 

11. The First Intermediate Oration, on the Political Influence of the Clergy. 

Timothy Briggs. 

12. An Oration in Latin, on Superstition. - - - William T. Hazard. 

13. The Ninth Intermediate Oration, on the Pleasures and Advantages of History. 

John W. Richmond. 

14. A Dialogue designed to ridicule Quackery in Professions. 

Samuel W. Brigham, Jeremiah Bailey, Mason Shaw, Enoch Hazard. 

15. The Eighth Intermediate Oration, on the Difficulty of obtaining and the Necessity 

of maintaining our Liberty. Joseph Rawson. 

16. The Third Intermediate Oration, on the Theatre. - - Solomon Sibley. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 363 

17. The Inexpediency of the Americans engaging in the European War ; an Oration 

for the Master's Degree. - - - James Ellis, (class of 1791.) 

18. An Oration on the Power and Improvement of Reason; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. - - - - - - - Samuel W. Brigham. 

1796. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration on the Impolicy of 

opposing Opinion by Force. John Smith. 

2. An Intermediate Oration, on National Greatness. - - Joseph Eaton. 

3. An Intermediate Oration, showing that Literature is the most permanent Basis 

of Felicity. ....--. Charles 0. Screven. 

4. An Oration on the general effects of Luxury on Science. - Isaac Averell. 

5. A Dispute on this Question : — Whether the Love of Fame is advantageous to 

Mankind? - - John Luscomb, Peleg Chandler, John A. Hazard. 

6. An Oration on Deism, considered as a Prelude to the Universal Establishment 

of Christianity. -------- Amos Hopkins. 

7. An Intermediate Oration, on Commerce. - - . Thomas Screven. 

8. An Oration, on the Death of Stephen Torrey. - - Stephen Cutler. 

9. An Oration, on the State of Literature in the United States. - Gaius Deane. 

10. An Oration, on the Immortality of Brutes. - - - Simeon Marcy. 

11. An Oration, on the Progress of Science. - - - - James Gurney. 

12. An Intermediate Oration, on the Origin and Evils of Political Oppression. 

Joseph W. Grossman. 

13. An Intermediate Oration, on Faction. . - - - James Gordon. 

14. A Dissertation, on the Theatre. ... - Abiel Williams. 

15. A Dissertation in Latin, on War. .... - Isaac Briggs. 
IG. An Oration on the Advantages resulting from the Art of Printing. 

Oliver Wiswell. 

17. An Intermediate Oration, on the Necessity of submitting the Passions to Beason. 

Erastus Larned. 

18. An Intermediate Oration, on the Advantages of Commerce. Samuel G. Arnold. 

19. An Intermediate Oration, on the Advantages of Men of Genius to Mankind. 

Elisha Fisk. 

20. An Oration, on the Influence of Government on the Spirit of Nations. 

Andrew Morton. 

21. An Oration, on Mental Improvement; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

William Baylies. 



364^ BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

1796. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration on the Drama. 

Benjamin B. Simmons. 

2. An Intermediate Oration, on the Importation of Foreign Luxuries. 

Abraham Blanding. 

3. An Intermediate Oration, on the Importance of the Knowledge of Civil Rights. 

Nathan Whiting. 

4. The Second Dispute, on the Policy of establishing a uniform System of Educa- 

tion throughout the United States. - Horace Senter, Joseph Holmes, 

Asa Kimball, 

5. An Oration against Religious Establishments. - . - John Holmes. 

6. An Oration on the Manifestation of Deity in his Works. John M. Roberts. 

7. Astronomy burlesqued ; a Conference. Abraham Blanding, Nathan Whiting. 

8. An Oration on the Necessity of subjecting the Passions to Reason. Daniel Crane. 

9. An Intermediate Oration, on Attachment to particular Systems of Religious 

Opinions. - - . . Asa Aldis. 

10. An Intermediate Oration, on Individual and National Greatness. 

Philip Hayward. 

11. The First Dispute, on this Question : — Whether Christianity has augmented the 

temporal Happiness of Man? Benjamin Shurtlefl, Oliver Cobb, Bezer Bryant. 

12. A Dialogue, - - - David King, John M. Roberts, John Holmes. 

13. A Dissertation in Favor of Female Education. - - - David King. 

14. An Oration, pleading the Cause of Man, together with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Tristam Burges. 

Mr. Burges's Valedictory Oration was justly regarded, at the 
time of its delivery, as a remarkable production. The paragraph 
beginning, " Guided by reason, man has travelled through the 
abstruse regions of the philosophic world " ; and that succeeding 
it, " By imagination, man seems to verge towards creative power," 
have been selected as exercises for declamation, in various schools 
and colleges throughout the land. The greater part of the Ora- 
tion is published in Bowen's "Memoir of Tristam Burges." 

1797. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, and an English Oration on Independence. 

James Ervin. 

2. An Intermediate Oration, on the Liberty of the Press. - - John Simmons. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 365 

3 . An Intermediate Oration, on the Advantages resulting from the Study of History. 

Nathan Holraan. 

4. An Oration on the Importance of Education to the Union of Eepubhcan Gov- 

ernments. Richard George. 

5. An Intermediate Oration, on the present prosperity of the United States. 

John Baldwin. 

6. A Dissertation on War. Horatio G. Bowen. 

7. A Forensic Dispute on the Question : — Whether it would he more advantageous 

for Mankind if the Earth should produce her Fruits spontaneously ? 

Liberty Bates, Nathan Carey. 

8. An Oration on the Love of Glory. - Abijah Draper. 

9. A Poem. Paul Dodge. 

10. A Dissertation on the Prospects of America. ... Horace Everett. 

11. An Oration on the Infallibility of the Understanding. - - John Sabin. 

12. A Dissertation on the Pleasures of the Imagination. - Francis Howard. 

13. A Dialogue; "The World's infectious." - - Liberty Bates, Paul Dodge, 

Francis Howard, Samuel Ervin, John D. Witherspoon. 

14. An Intermediate Oration, on the Love of Power, considered as a Principle of 

Action. Calvin Park. 

15. An Oration on the Necessity of maintaining the Dignity of the United States. 

Jairus Ware. 

16. An Oration on the Advantages of Mental Improvement. Drury Fairbanks. 

17. An Oration on the Indignities offered America by France. Samuel Ervin. 

18. A Forensic Dispute on the Question : — Does the Light of Nature afford Evidence 

that God will pardon Sin ? Abel Richmond, William Collier, Joseph B. Cook. 

19. An Oration on Oratory, John D. Witherspoon. 

20. A Conference on Education, - - Horatio G. Bowen, Horace Everett, 

Drury Fairbanks, Jairus Ware. 

21 . The Necessity of Political Union at the Present day ; an Oration for the Mas- 

ter's Degree. Paul Allen, Jr., (class of 1793.) 

22. The Propriety of introducing the Science of Jurisprudence into a Course of 

Classical Education ; an Oration for the Master's Degree. 

Samuel W. Bridgham, (class of 1794.) 

23. An Oration in Defence of Revelation; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Benjamin Allen. 

1798. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration, on the Importance of 
Science and Religion, particularly to the Youth of America. 

Andrew Dexter, Jr. 



366 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

2. An Intermediate ; — a Poem on Faction. .... Lucius Gary. 

3. First Dispute on this Question : — Are Capital Punishments justifiable? 

William H. Sabin, Rodolphus H. Williams, William P. Maxwell. 

4. A Dissertation in Latin, on the Conduct of France since the Commencement of 

the Revolution. Theodore D. Foster. 

5. A Dissertation, on Attachment to particular Systems of Religion. 

Sylvanus Waterman. 

6. A Dialogue : — The Bachelors. - - - Morrill Allen, Nathaniel Bullock, 

James Tallmadge, Lucius Gary. 

7. A Dissertation on the Evils of Luxury. - - - Alvan Underwood. 

8. A Dispute on this Question : — Which is the most conducive to Virtue, Adversity 

or Prosperity ? - - - - Nathanael G. Olney, Abraham Gushe, 

William E. Green, John Fessenden. 

9. An Intermediate Oration, on the Immortality of Brutes. Nathaniel Bullock. 

10. A Dissertation on the Diversity of Religious Opinions. - - Morrill Allen. 

11. An Intermediate Oration, on the Infringement of the Rights of Men. 

James Tallmadge. 

12. A Dialogue : — The Jacobin Reformed. John Fessenden, William E. Green, 

Otis Thompson. 

13. An Intermediate Oration, urging the Necessity of Religion as the only perma- 

nent Basis of Civil Government, - - . . _ Otis Thompson. 

14. An Oration on Union considered as the only Safety of the United States ; 

together with the Valedictory Addresses. - - - - Conrade Webb. 

1799. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration on the dangerous 

Consequences of Foreign Influence. - - - - Zechariah Eddy. 

2. An Intermediate Oration, on Superstition. - - - Lemuel LeBaron. 

3. An Oration in Greek, on the Necessity of Virtue. - - Alvan Tobey. 

4. An Oration on the Manners and Principles of the Times. 

Paul L. A. Auboyneau. 

5. An Intermediate Oration, on the Necessity of uniting Habits of Industry with 

Religion. Judah A. McClellan. 

6. A Dissertation, showing that Man is actuated more by Passion than by Reason. 

John Pitman. 

7. An Oration on Enthusiasm of Opinion. . . . . Daniel Turner. 

8. An Oration on the Advantages of a Is'avy to the United States. Allen Bourne. 

9. A Dissertation on the Utility of a general Diffusion of Political Knowledge. 

Nathan F. Dixon. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 367 

10. An Intermediate Oration, on the Necessity of Science to Support the Grovern- 

meht of the' United States. - . . - . James Thompson. 

11. A Political Dissertation. _ . . _ . Whipple Aldrich. 

12. A Dissertation in Latin, on the Necessity of Virtue to the Support of Civil 

Government. Franklin Greene. 

13. An Intermediate Oration, on the Establishment of a National University. 

Wood Furman. 

14. An Intermediate Oration, on the Importance of Philosophical Improvement. 

Abraham B. Story. 

15. A Dissertation on the Impossibility of Exterminating Christianity, 

Joshua Bradley. 

16. War; an Oration for the Master's Degree. Tristam Burges, (class of 1796.) 

17. An Oration on the Proneness of Men to fall into Extremes; with the Valedic- 

tory Addresses. Jeremiah Chaplin. 

1800. 

1. Salutatory Oration, on Slavery of Opinion, comprehending the usual Addresses. 

Paris J. Tillinghast. 

2. An Intermediate Oration, on the Importance of Historical Information. 

Gaius Conant. 

3. A Dissertation in Latin, on the Rise and Fall of Empires. - Daniel Loring. 

4. Dispute on this Question : — Would passive Commerce be more advantageous to 

the United States than their present active Commerce ? Theodore A. Foster, 

Thomas Burgess, Abiel Russell. 

5. An Intermediate Oration, on the Influence of the Passions. John M. Bradford. 

6. An Oration on the Pleasures of Sensibility. . . . - J^evi Tower. 

7. A Dissertation in Greek; — Union necessary to the Support of Republican 

Government. ....-.-- Andrew Rawson. 

8. A Dissertation on the Utility of Science in a Republican Government. 

Daniel Young. 

9. An Intermediate Oration, on Female Education. . - - Calvin Tilden. 

10. An Oration on Party Spirit. Nathaniel Todd. 

11. An Intermediate Oration on the Advantages of Prejudice. Moses Miller. 

12. A Dissertation on the Necessity of Religion to the Support of Government. 

Gravenner Taft. 

13. An Oration on Civil Dissensions, considered as a Prelude to a Change in Gov- 

ernment. - - -^ Thomas Burgess, 

14. A Dissertation on Atheism. - ■: - - - - - Enos Cutler. 



368 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

15. A Dispute on this Question : — Is Marriage conducive to Happiness? 

Royal Farnum, John M. Bradford, Calvin Tilden. 

16. An Intermediate Oration, on the Influence of Improved Taste on Society. 

Abiel Russell. 

17. An Intermediate Oration, on the Constitution of the United States, and the 

Influence it has on the Spirit of the People. - - Theodore A. Foster. 

18. An Intermediate Oration, on Literature as the Basis of Happiness. 

Royal Farnum. 

19. Dialogue; — The Fall of Fashion. - - Benjamin F. Bourne, Moses Miller, 

Gravenner Taft, William R. Theus, Nathaniel Todd. 

20. A Dissertation on Instrumental Music, showing its Effects on the Passions. 

Liberty Rawson. 

21. An Oration, on Literature as necessary to the Support of Independence. 

Benjamin F. Bourne. 

22. An Intermediate Oration, on Mental Improvement. - - William R. Theus. 

23. Valedictory Oration, on Political Economy, comprehending the usual Addresses. 

John Maekie. 

1801. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, and an English Oration on Noble Blood. 

Andrew Pickens. 

2. An Oration on Religious Establishments. . - - Lucius Bolles. 

3. An Intermediate Oration, on the Influence of Superstition on the Human Mind. 

Enoch Brown. 

4. An Oration in Latin, on the Propensity of Mankind to Society. Ezra Leonard. 

5. An Oration on the Impartial Administration of Justice. - Lemuel Bishop. 

6. An Oration on the Necessity of Union to support the Peace and Happiness of 

Society. Jonathan Nye. 

7. A Poem. Philo H. Washburn. 

8. A Discussion of the comparative Advantages of Theology, Natural Philosophy, 

Moral Philosophy, and History. - - George Barstow, Enoch Brown, 

James Lesley, Robert Sterry. 

9. An Oration on Democracy. Gad Tower. 

10. A Dialogue on Profession. - - Andrew Pickens, George W. Perkins, 

Samuel Dexter, Lemuel Bishop. 

11. An Intermediate Oration, on Religion considered as the Basis of Civil Govern- 

ment. George Barstow. 

12. A Intermediate Oration: — The Equality of Rights consistent with the good 

Order of Society. James Lesley. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 369 

13. A Dispute on the Question: — Is it reasonable to sacrifice Convenience to 

Fashion? William Blanding, Joseph Cheney, 

Samuel Dexter, Samuel V. Medbery. 

14. An Intermediate Oration on Slander. . . - . Eobert Sterry. 

15. The Influence of the Female Character on Society ; an Oration for the Master's 

Degree. Lucius Cary, (class of 1798.) 

16. A Poem; with the Valedictory Addresses. - - John M. Williams. 

1802. 

1. Salutatory Addresses, and an Oration on the Spirit of Enquiry. Alfred Metealf. 

2. An Intermediate Oration, on Patriotism. - - . Samuel M. Pond. 

3. A Dissertation. - - Samuel Perry, Jr. 

4. A Dissertation. --------- Levi Hart. 

5. An Oration on the Abuse of Power,. - - - Gardner Daggett. 

6. An Oration on the Necessity of Science and Virtue to the Support of good 

Government. Melatiah Everett. 

7. A Conference on the comparative Advantages of the Invention of Printing, 

the Discovery and Use of the Compass, the Discovery and Use of Metals, and 
of Architecture. - - - - Paul Jewett, Sumner Bastow, 

Warren Rawson, Benjamin Gleason. 

8. A Poem. -------- Eiehard Waterman. 

9. An Intermediate Oration :^ Progress of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences 

during the Eighteenth Century. - - v ■ Henry Wheaton. 

10. An Oration on the Amelioration of Man. - - - Samuel Bugbee. 

11. A Dissertation on the Decline of Slavery. - - - Frederick W. Bottom. 

12. An Oration on National Virtue. - - - - - . - John Godfrey, 

13. An Intermediate Oration, on War. - - - - - Henry Bowen. 

14. A Poem on the Times. - - - - - . - Benjamin Gleason. 

15. An Intermediate Oration, on Republican Policy. - - Sumner Bastow. 

16. An Oration. .---.--. John Whipple. 

17. A Poem : — The Rewards of Ambition. - - - - Milton Maxcy. 

18. An Intermediate Oration, on the Patronage of Literature. John Holroyd. 

19. An Intermediate Oration, on the Productions of Genius and Taste united. 

Warren Rawson. 

20. An Intermediate Oration, on the Evils of Democracy. William W. Bowen. 

21. An Oration on Politics.' John Pitman, candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

22. An Oration : — Happiness attendant on Virtue ; and the Valedictory Addresses. 

Ferdinand Ellis. 
47 



370 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

This is the last Commencement at which Dr. Maxcy presided, 
having been elected to the Presidency of Union College, Schenec- 
tady, New York. His Baccalaureate Address for this year, and 
also for the years 1794, 1798, and 1801, may be found in an 
octavo volume of four hundred and fifty-two pages, published in 
New York, in 1844, entitled, " The Literary Remains of the Rev. 
Jonathan Maxcy, D. D., with a Memoir of his Life, by Romeo 
Elton, D.D." 

1803. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on Self- Abuse. 

Lemuel Paine. 

2. An Intermediate Oration : — The Intelligence of Deity evident from the Origin 

of Motion. Zabdiel Sampson. 

3. An Intermediate Oration, on Prejudice. - - - Thompson Miller. 

4. An Intermediate Oration, on Ambition. ... David Holman, Jr. 

5. An Oration on Man. Philip Allen. 

6. An Oration on the Kuling Passion. . . - - Benjamin Cowell. 

7. An Oration on Dissimulation. .- , - - - Samuel H. Lothrop. 

8. A Theological Essay. - - - - - - - Jason Sprague. 

9. A Forensic Dispute :-^Is a Public preferable to a Private Life. 

Aaron Blake, Levi H. Perkins. 

10. An Oration on Fashion. - - - - - - Philip M. Fiske. 

11. An Intermediate Oration, on Sensuality. - - - Elnathan Walker. 

12. An Intermediate: — A Poem on Art. - - - - Daniel Thomas. 

13. A Syllogistic Dispute : — Is the Newtonian Astronomy true? 

Thompson Miller, Chandler Flagg, Aaron Blake, Christopher Webb. 

14. An Intermediate Oration : — Equanimity the source of Happiness. 

Christopher Webb. 

15. An Intermediate Oration, on National Depravity. - - Chandler Flagg. 

16. An Intermediate Oration, on the Abuse of Religion. Jonathan Thayer. 

17. An Oration on Civil War. George I. Olney. 

18. A Dialogue : — The Pedant. - - Daniel Thomas, Zabdiel Sampson, 

Samuel H. Lothrop, Benjamin Cowell 

19. An Oration on National Prosperity. - Theodore A. Foster, candidate for the 

Degree of Master of Arts. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEKCISES. 371 

20. An Oration on Taxation. - - Benjamin Bourne, Jr., candidate for the 

Degree of Master of Arts. 

21. An Oration on Candor, and the Valedictory Addresses. John Reed, Jr. 

Dr. Maxcy, as we have stated in our "Historical Sketch," was 
succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Messer, who presided over the Institu- 
tion from 1802 until 1826, or nearly a quarter of a century. His 
first Baccalaureate Address, delivered at this Commencement, 
and which was published at the time by request, will be read 
with interest by his pupils, especially as very few of his produc- 
tions have found their way to the public. 

President Messee's Address. 

At this time, young Gentlemen, your situation is peculiarly critical. Having just 
finished your collegiate studies, you are now ready to enlarge on the world, and to 
become personal actors in those important scenes, where thousands, for lack of skill, 
have been ruined. In discharging this last official duty, I feel solicitous to guard you 
against similar disastets, and to point you to a course which shall be safe and happy. 
You mast all be sensible that in this favored land the field of honor and promotion is 
open only to personal acquisition. Unless a man inherits the virtues, he inherits not 
the immunities of his parents. You must, therefore, stand on your own feet. Hence 
it is especially important that you secure the approbation of the wise and worthy ; and 
this you can secure only by adorning your characters with a virtuous, persevering 
industry. A life of indolence was never designed for man. His external situation 
and internal constitution both require that he should be active. Let the circle in 
which he moves be high or low, he must, if devoid of industrious habits, be devoid of 
substantia! enjoyment. You must not think, therefore, that because you have devoted 
yourselves to literature, you are free from the necessity of labor. No man feels that 
necessity more than the scholar. Whether you enter on public or private life, there- 
fore, let me advise you never to imagine that you have any time to spare for useless 
indulgencies ; but bear it ever in mind that the most industrious man is, other things 
being equal, the most happy in himself, and the most respected by others. 

Like all other habits, however, a habit of industry can be produced only by a 
regular, persevering attention. Let this be remitted but for a short period, and a 
habit of opposite tendency will unavoibably begin to grow. Hence in the very outset 
you should be careful to place yourselves in the view of such objects as are fitted to 
excite constant exertion. On this account it is highly important that you delay not to 
draw the plan of your pursuit for life. Until you do this, you will be living without 



372 BROWN TJNIYEESITY. 

an object ; and, your minds being in constant vibration, you will scarcely know what 
to do with yourselves. You will be more likely to envy the condition of others, than 
to better your own ; and more to subvert, than to promote the end of your existence. 
Though, therefore, you may find it diflBcult to draw this plan, let me advise you to 
draw it soon. Indeed, you will not gain so much by procastination as you imagine. 
Perhaps you may not, after ten years consideration, be more prepared than you now 
are, to bring your minds to the proper point. At the same time let me advise you in 
this case to guard yourselves against rash precipitation. A wrong step taken here 
may seriously affect you during life. That profession which is the best for others, may 
not be the best for you. Nature has formed- different men for different stations; and 
no man will appear well in a station differing from the intentions of nature. As it is 
of the greatest importance that you should ascertain what these intentions are in this 
particular, you will be careful to examine, not the honor and emolument attached to 
any station, but the nature and extent of its duties ; and to compare them with the 
tendencies of your own minds. You may be certain that nature never intended you 
for a station which you are not qualified to fill ; and you may be certain also, that you 
are not qualified to fill a station which involves duties at invincible variance with your 
own minds. In this case, let the success of others be ever so great, you must expect 
none for yourselves; for no man, unless he loves his duty, will discharge it with 
advantage. Hence, if you should think of entering on the profession of law, you 
should examine, not what others have done or gained in that profession, but what you 
yourselves can do or gain ; not what a highway it has opened for the promotion of 
others, but whether you yourselves are pleased with the study and practice of law ; 
and whether you can qualify yourselves to discharge with honor the arduous duties of 
the profession. 

To those who think of entering on the profession of theology, an examination of 
this kind becomes very solemnly proper and important. No arrogance can be more 
censurable or wicked than that, which will allow men, for the sake of lucre, to thrust 
themselves into the ministry. A law of nature in man renders it impossible that he 
should be indifferent to theological truth. In his view that truth must ever be 
attractive, or repulsive. No prospect of honor, or emolument can alter this law. 
Hence, while a man's heart is not attracted by the solemn truths of theology, must he 
not, by attempting to explain or enforce them, exhibit himself in a very awkward and 
melancholy posture ? Can an office for propagating humility be gratifying to a man of 
pride V Or will he discharge its duties with faithfulness and success? As the doctrines 
of theology are fitted to exalt the character of God, and to abase the character of man, 
it seems impossible that any man should inculcate those doctrines with satisfaction to 
himself, or edification to others, until he imbibes the spirit of them, and loves them. 
Notwithstanding my warm attachment, therefore, to a theological profession, and my 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 373 

earnest wishes to see it filled with respectable characters, I must still entreat you, both 
on account of your own personal felicity, and on account of the prosperity of true 
religion, never to step your feet on the sacred threshold of that profession, until you 
are fully satisfied that the solemn duties of it will themselves delight your hearts, and 
that you are prepared to discharge them with advantage to your fellow-men. 

The imperfections of human nature are such that but few men can render themselves 
eminent in many things. They who grasp at a knowledge of everything, may generally 
expect to be skillful in nothing. You will find ample room for the exertion of your 
talents in a single profession. Whatever that may be, you will be careful to give it 
your principal attention. Yet, as there is a strong connection between all the branches 
of knowledge, you cannot render yourselves skillful in any one of them, while wholly 
ignorant of the rest. No man, indeed, can acquit himself respectably in any literary 
performance, until his mind is enlarged with a stock of general truths. Be guarded, 
then, against these two extremes ; against distracting your minds by roaming at random 
among all subjects indifierently ; and against contracting them by attending only to a 
few subjects exclusively. 

It is the general expectation that men will acquit themselves according to the 
advantages they have had. Hence but few apologies are made for the ignorance of 
those who have had the opportunity of acquiring knowledge. It is, therefore, impor- 
tant that you, who have had this opportunity, should give full proof that you have 
improved it well; and hence that you should still persevere in the pursuit of knowl- 
edge. For if, calculating on your present acquisitions, you remit your attention to 
study, you must soon forget what you have already learned, and revert back to the 
point from which you started, when you first began your literary course. 

In your intercourse with men, you have need of great circumspection and sagacity. 
You will find them perhaps different from what you now expect ; and, unless you are 
especially guarded, you may find yourselves obliged to purchase a knowledge of them 
at a dear rate. Notwithstanding the maxim which is good in law, that " a man is 
innocent until he is proved guilty," you will find it dangerous to confide in any, until 
you have proof that they are worthy Fatal experience has convinced many that 
selfish prii)ciples have an extensive influence on human actions You will find most 
men alive to their own interest ; and in general it will be the most safe to commit 
yourselves to them only so far as that interest may induce them to befriend you. Yet 
you will find some in whom you may ever confide ; men who would not injure you 
sooner than they would themselves ; and who in adversity as well as prosperity, will 
ever exhibit themselves the patrons of truth, integrity and benevolence. Whenever 
you find such men, give them your warmest friendship. Value them more than the 
wealth of India ; and let their virtues be the patterns of your own. Think not, how- 
ever, that men of this character dwell only in a certain place, or bear only a certain 



374 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

name. Names differ greatly from things; though prejudice would often confound them 
together. As you are privileged with a liberal education, you will banish prejudice 
from vour breasts. It is fit only for the ignorant. You will think on a liberal scale. 
You will view men and things through the medium of candor. According to the 
advice which the excellent Dr. Watts has given you in his chapter on prejudice, which 
I beg you never to forget, you will divest yourselves of those youthful prepossessions, 
and local attachments, which becloud the mind, and render it unfit for the perception 
of truth ; and you will ever rejoice when the truth is discovered, even though it should 
condemn yourselves. You will then be able to guard yourselves against deception, 
and to confide only in the worthy. You will also discover that these must be ascer- 
tained, not by invidious distinctions, but by personal character ; and that true worth 
often dwells with him whom prejudice .has marked with infamy. 

Your own personal characters should be a prime object of your attention. No 
splendor of talents, nor advances in knowledge can compensate for the want of moral 
principles. Even vicious men, if they would tell the truth, would tell you that they 
cannot give their confidence to the vicious. The immutable distinction between right 
and wrong is so forcibly impressed on the minds of men, that, however wrong them- 
selves, they require what is right in others. Be careful then to cultivate a fair, moral 
character. Let no temptations seduce you from the path of rectitude. Hold the rights 
of others as sacred as you hold your own ; and remember that you have no more right 
to injure them than they have to injure you. As you abhor those who injure you, you 
must expect the abhorrence of those whom you may injure. Ever place before your- 
selves the golden maxim of doing to others as you wish they should do to you ; and 
never forget that the way of the transgressor of this maxim is ever hard. 

In this connection it is important to be remembered that there is a strong intimacy 
between moral character and the belief of truth. That must be a singular infatuation, 
indeed, which can induce any to expunge the doctrine of belief from their system of 
morals. Let it only be granted that it is no matter what a man believes, and it must 
be granted also that, in a moral view, it is no matter what he does. If a man's belief 
has no influeuce on his practice, that practice will be as destitute of moral quality, as 
is the running of a horse, or the flouncing of a whale. If you wi^h, therefore, to 
consider yourselves as rational moral beings, you will give no countenance to that most 
gross, barbarous absurdity. Indeed, there appears to be the same connection between 
the belief and practice of a rational being as there is between a cause and an effect ; 
and therefore, while I exhort you to give diligent attention to the things which you 
practice, let me exhort you to give the same attention to the things which you believe. 

Hence, I must commend to your belief the important principles of our holy 
religion ; entreating you to receive them into your hearts and to follow them in your 
lives. These principles received in this way, will give you a high elevation on the 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 375 

scale of moral excellence. They will incite you ever to act in character ; and they 
will ensure you the good will of all the amiable beings in existence. They will support 
you in the hour of adversity; and, when your part on earth is acted, they will unfold 
to you a more exalted and happy scene, where there will be no tears, nor sorrow, nor 
sickness, nor death ; where friends will never separate, but where an uninterrupted 
blaze of glory will forever irradiate and enrapture their souls. 

For these precious principles, my respected young friends, T must persuade myself 
you will cultivate a constant veneration. Into this persuasion I am unavoidably led 
by a reflection on the very laudable manner in which you, as a body, have acquitted 
yourselves, while members of this Institution. While I keep in mind your regular, 
studious and friendly deportment, and your zealous attachment to law, order and 
morals, I will not, I cannot allow the fear that you will ever disgrace yom'selves by 
adopting infidel principles, or licentious practices. May the rich benedictions of 
heaven attend you, while passing through life; and may the precious promises of the 
gospel support you in the hour of death. With these reflections, and hoping that you 
will receive them sis coming from a friend, T must now bid you an Affectionate 
Farewell. 

1804. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on National Economy. 

Marcus Morton. 
. 2. An Oration on the Science of Medicine. -. - - - Elias Frost. 

3. An Oration on Hypocrisy. - - - . - - - . Silas Tobey. 

4. An Oration on the Importance of a General Diffusion of Knowledge through 

the United States, Lemuel W. Briggs.. 

5. A Forensic Dispute : — Which is the most injurious, Hypocrisy or Pride? 

Richard Briggs, Samuel Randall. 
■ 6. An Oration: — The Wisdom and Goodness of God, manifested in his Works. 

Warren Preston. 

7. An Oration on the Evils of Persecution. - - - Tisdale Hodges. 

8. An Intermediate Oration on the Abuse of Merit. Jason Chamberlain, Jr. 

9. An Oration on the Sugar Cane. ----- Thomas H, Sill. 

10. A Dispute : — Would not Married People bo as happy, if their Partners, instead 

of being chosen by themselves, were appointed by Civil Authority ? 

William D. Williamson, Oliver Hayward, 
Lemuel Williams, Jr., Samuel K. Williams. 

11. An Intermedate Oration : — Reflections on History. Samuel K. Williams. 

12. An Oration on the Soul. William D. Williamson. 

13. An Intermediate Oration, on Misanthropy. - - - Oliver Hayward. 



376 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

14. An Intermediate Oration, on Partiality. - - Lemuel Williams, Jr. 

15. A Dialogue. ... Richard Briggs, Elias' Frost, Greorge Norton, 

Samuel Randall, Thomas H. Sill. 

16. An Oration on the Abuse of Civil Privileges, with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Benjamin Hobart. 

1805. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English :-^ Disputes on the 

Principles of Government dangerous. - - - - Williams Emmons. 

2. An Intermediate Oration: — Selfishness the Source of political Contentions. 

Samuel P. Loud. 

3. An Oration on Diversity of Opinions. - - - Sylvester F. Boeklin. 

4. An Intermediate Oration, on the Tendency of false Opinions. - John Shaw. 

5. An Intermediate Oration, on the Spirit of Innovation. - - John B. Snow. 

6. An Oration on the Character of Roger Williams. - - Thomas D. Webb. 

7. A Poem on the Inexpediency of Capital Punishments. - Benjamin James. 

8. An Oration on Female Excellency. . . . . Walter R. Danforth. 

9. An Oration on modern Patriotism. - - - - - Joseph F. Lippitt. 
10. An Oration encouraging Attempts at Excellence in Oratory. - Amasa Fisk. 
12. An Oration on the Abuse of Genius. . - - . Stephen W. Eddy. 

12. A Poem, Intermediate, on Gratitude. - - - - - Samuel Deane. 

13. A Syllogistic Dispute : — Is Sincerity always the best Policy? 

Jared Whitman, Aaron Hobart, John Howe, Samuel P. Loud 

14. An Intermediate Oration, on the Love of Fame. - - - John Howe. 

15. An Intermediate Oration, on the Abuse of Liberty. - - Aaron Hobart. 

16. An Intermediate Oration, on the Bias of Passion. - - Jared Whitman. 

17. Dialogue. - - Sylvester F. Bucklin, Walter R. Danforth, Samuel Deane, 

Stephen W. Eddy, Benjamin James, Joseph F. Lippitt. 

18. An Oration showing the Superiority of Biography to History. 

John Holroyd, Esq., candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

19. An Oration on Energy of Character, with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Theron Metcalf. 

1806. 

1. The Salutatory Address in Latin, with an English Oration, on the Influence of 

Courage on Society, Daniel March. 

2. An Intermediate Oration, on the Pleasures and Pains of Memory. 

Richard B. Bedon. 

3. An Oration on Dissimulation. Daniel Johnson. 

4. An Oration on the Influence of Religion in Society. - - Noah Whitman. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 377 

5. An Intermediate Oration, on Mental Improvement, - Louis R. Sams. 

6. An Oration on Natural History. John G. Dean. 

7. An Oration on Ecclesiastical History. - - - - David Benedict. 

8. A Forensic Dispute on the Question: — Is the Imprisonment of Bankrupts 

expedient? Palmer Cleveland, Henry D'Wolf. 

9. An Intermediate Oration, on the Impropriety of Public Punishments. 

Willard Preston. 

10. A Poem. Daniel Thomas, candidate for the Master's I>egree, (class of 1803.) 

11. Reason; — An Oration for the Master's Degree. 

John Reed, Jr., (class of 1803.) 

12. An Oration on Defamation ; with the Valedictory Addresses. Jacob Eames. 

1807. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on Mental Preparation. 

John Bailey. 

2. An Oration on Literary Excellence. . . - . Bailey Loring. 

3. An Oration on the Dignity of Man. Eliab Whitman. 

4. An Intermediate Oration, on Political Virtue. - - - Jacob Hill. 

5. An Oration on the Cultivation of the Mind. ... Oliver Angell. 

6. An Oration on the Influence of Novelty. ... Elisha P. Fearing. 

7. Oratio Latina de Mentis Industria. .... Ezekiel R. Wilson, 

8. An Oration on the Durability of the Chrietian Religion. Charles Wheeler. 

9. An Intermediate Oration: — National Honor dependent on Energy of Govern- 

ment. Cyrus Alden. 

10. A Poem on Science. Samuel Bloss. 

11. An Oration : — Effects of Infidelity on Society and Government. 

Ebenezer Stoddard. 

12. An Oration on Diversity of Opinion. .... Zedekiah Sanger. 

13. A Dispute : — Which is the most desirable, Confidence or Diffidence? 

Charles Manton, Samuel I. Thurston. 

14. An Oration on the Influence of Adversity on the Character of Man, 

Luther Barstow. 

15. An Intermediate Oration, on the Rising Glory of America. Nahum Harrington. 

16. An Essay on Jurisprudence. Cyrus Alden. 

17. An Oration on the Fine Arts. - Henry Wheaton, Esq., (class of 1802,) 

candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

18. An Oration on Free Inquiry ; -with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Adoniram Judson. 

48 



378 BROWN UNIVERSITY, 



1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English : — Industry essential 

to Mental Greatness. Bradford Sumner. 

2. An Oration on the Patronage of American Literature. Jeremiah Mayhew. 

3. An Oration on Self- Approbation. Luther Bailey. 

4. An Essay on Mathematics. Abiel Bolles. 

5. An Oration on Self-Knowledge. Seth Chapin. 

6. An Oration on the Pleasures of Literature. - - . John Rogers, Jr. 

7. A Poem on Music. -------- Thomas Power. 

8. A Syllogistic Dispute : — Is the Philosophy of Mind preferable to the Philosophy 

of Matter ? Benjamin Rice, Josiah J. Fiske. 

9. A Oration : — Bigoted Credulity the product of Monkish Ignorance. 

Henry T. Cooke. 

10. An Oration : — Knowledge essential to Liberty. George W. R. Corlis. 

11. An Essay on History. - Dutee J. Pearce. 

12. Oratio Latina de Modo Mercaturam defendendi. - Nathaniel S. Spooner. 

13. An Essay on Ethics. Ezekiel Rich. 

14. An Oration on the Love of Power. .... George Willard. 

15. An Oration on Religious Freedom. - - . . - William Barker. 

16. An Oration on Modern Philosophy. - . . . Jeremiah Lippitt. 

17. A Forensic Dispute : — Is the Slanderer as criminal as the Assassin? 

Isaac Porter, William G. Field, Otis Briggs. 

18. An Oration on Mental Energy. . . - - Josias H. Coggeshall. 

19. A Dispute : — Is a Delicate Sensibility desirable? 

Jacob Corey, William L. Marcy. 

20. An Oration: — The Deception of Ambitious Characters. John B. Francis. 

21. An Oration on Science; with the Valedictory Addresses. John B. Wight. 

1809. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on the Patronage of 

Science. Elijah Morse. 

2. An Oration on National Energy. David Delano. 

3. An Oration on Thinking. Thomas Williams. 

4. An Oration on Martial Spirit. Henry F. Clark. 

5. An Essay on Natural Theology. .... Ebenezer Burgess. 

6. An Oration on Force of Character. .... Daniel F. Harding. 

7. An Oration on Political Union. . - . . . Thomas Pope. 

8. A Poem on the Progress of Refinement. ... - Joshua Dean. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 379 

9. An Oration : — The Influence of Governments on Society. William Haven. 

10. An Oration : — Civil Society essential to the Happiness of Man. 

Samuel S. Wilkinson. 

11. Oratio Latina : — Luxuria privatae tarn quam publicae Felicitati pernieiosa. 

Joseph Randall. 

12. A Poem on Eesignation. Henry Goodwin. 

13. An Oration on Bar Eloquence. William Tyler. 

14. An Oration on Wine - - - - - - Robert Hume. 

15. An Oration on the Mental Cultivation of Brutes. - - Silas Hall. 

16. A Syllogistic Dispute : — Ought Application to be more respectable than Talents ? 

Jonathan Going, Jabez Fox, Gardner Burbank. 

17. An Oration on Foreign Influence. . . . . James B. Dorrance. 

18. An Oration on the Vicissitudes of Life. - - - - John H. Clarke. 

19. An Oration on Civil Government. - - - - Thomas Carlile. 

20. An Oration: — The Union of Talents and Virtue; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. Jacob Ida. 

1810. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on Sophistry. 

Hervey Jenks. 

2. An Oration on National Honor. Collins Darling. 

3. Oratio Latina de Rationis Abusu. David Reed. 

4. An Oration on the Abuse of Liberty. . . . . Francis D. Wait. 

5. An Oration on Commerce. Martin Moore. 

6. An Essay on the Being of God. Daniel Kendrick. 

7. An Essay on the Utility of Natural Philosophy. - - Philip R. Hopkins. 

8. An Oration on the Advantages of Literature. . . - Charles Roby. 

9. An Oration on Biography. ------ George W. Spencer. 

10. An Essay on the Philosophy of Mind. - - . . David Avery. 

1 1 . An Oration on the Rights of injured Africans. - - Cyrus Lothrop. 

12. An Oration on National Growth and Decay. - . - Abel Cushing. 

13. Oratio Graeca de Hominis Dignitate. William Reed. 

14. An Oration on Events in Europe. - - - - Henry K. MeClintock. 

15. An Eulogy on the Character of Cicero. ... Simon R. Greene. 

16. An Essay on Rhetoric. William Bates. 

17. An Oration on the Permanency of the Present Form of Government in the 

United States. Isaac Bailey. 

18. An Oration on the Attainment of Excellence; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Appleton Downer. 



380 BKOWN UNIVEESITY. 

1811. 

1. The Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on the Utility of 

Scientific and Literary Knowledge. Arnold Gray. 

2. An Oration : — The Union of the "United States essential to the Preservation of 

their Liberty. - Nicholas Brown. 

3. An Oration in Latin, on the Importance of the Execution of Laws. 

Joshua P. Dickinson. 

4. An Oration : — Curiosity, guided by Heason and Common Sense, the Source of 

Mental Improvement. Israel Alger. 

5. An Oration on American Literature. - - - Oliver H. Kollock. 

6. An Oration on the Evidence in Support of Divine Revelation. George Phippen. 

7. A Dissertation on the Immortal Nature of Man. - - - Hartford Sweet. 

8. An Oration on the Corruption of American Principles and Manners. 

Charles N. Tibbitts. 

9. An Eulogy on the Character of Fisher Ames. - - William H. Allen. 

10. An Essay on the Study of Belles Lettres. . . . Thomas Russell. 

11. An Oration on Superstition. Latham A. Burrows. 

12. An Oration on an Athenaeum. Thomas Rivers. 

13. An Oration on the Veracity of the Sacred Scriptures. - - David March. 

14. An Oration on Free Thinking. Aaron Putnam. 

15. An Oration in Greek, on the Utility of Civil Law. - - Ezra Hutchins. 
IG. A Dispute: — Which form of Government is preferable, a Republican or a 

Monarchical ? - - - - Peter Wheelock, Daniel Wardwell. 

17. A Poem on Fashionable Manners. - - - - Luther M. Harris. 

18. An Oration on the Permanency of the American Republic. 

Benjamin W. Cozzens. 

19. A Poem on Social Intercourse. - - - - - Thomas Tolman. 

20. An Oration on Liberty. Dexter Randall. 

21. An Oration on the Means of Establishing the Literary Character of America; 

with the Valedictory Addresses. . - - - William Winsor. 

1812. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on the Obstacles to 

American Literature. Isaac Fiske. 

2. An Oration : — Man by Nature formed to be Virtuous. Ephraim Randall. 

3. The Progress of Modern Infidelity, an Oration. - - John L. Blake. 

4. An Oration on Cbivalry. Moses B. Ives. 

5. An Essay on the American Constitution. - - Richard W. Greene. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 381 

6. A Latin Oration on the Cbaracter of Man. ... Samuel Phinney. 

7. Advantages arising from the study of Geography : — An Oration. James Sanford. 

8. An Oration : — The Influence of Religious Opinions on Society. 

James M. Winchell. 

9. An Essay on the Influence of a cultivated Imagination. William G. Goddard. 

10. A Greek Oration, on the Love of Glory. - - . Preserved Smith. 

11. An Oration on Reason and Fancy. ----- Ralph Gilbert. 

12. A Dissertation on the Rank of the Fair Sex in the Scale of Being. 

John L. Parkhurst. 

13. A Poem. Henry C. Knight. 

14. An Oration on Religious Freedom, . . - . Daniel Hewett. 

15. An Oration on Enthusiasm of Character. - - ^ Christopher C. Dexter. 

16. An Oration on the Influence of erroneous Opinions imbibed in early Life. 

Josephus Wheaton. 

17. An Oration : — National Virtue essential to National Prosperity. 

Bradford Sumner, Esq., candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

18. An Oration on the Cultivation of a Genius for Discovery and Invention; with 

the Yaledictory Addresses. - - - ^ - - Cyrus Kingsbury. 

1813. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on the Progressive 

Improvement in the Condition of the Human Species. - - Joel Hawes. 

2. Decision of Character : — An Essay. - - - - Timothy G. Coffin. 

3. An Essay on the Importance of Evangelizing our Frontier Natives. 

Thomas Shepard. 

4. A Dispute: — Has Civil Government any Right to interfere in matters of 

Religion ? .... - Amherst Wight, Ebenezer Force. 

5. An Essay on the Ingratitude of Republics. - - Benjamin I. Gilman. 

6. An Oration on the Influence of the Reformation in the Revival of Learning. 

Caleb H. Snow. 

7. Anticipation contrasted with Reflection : — An Essay. - Joseph K. Angell. 

8. A Greek Essay on the Love of Novelty. - - Benjamin D. Weeden. 

9. An Essay on the Patronage of Literature. ... Zachariah Allen. 

10. Female Genius : — A Poem. Daniel Knight. 

11. An Essay on Jurisprudence. Earle P. White. 

12. An Essay on the Political and Religious State of the World. Romeo Elton. 

13. An Essay on Manufactories. Jerome Loring. 

14. An Essay on the Progress of Liberty in South America. Jonas L. Sibley. 

15. A Dispute : — Which were the more Justifiable in commencing the First Punic 

War, the Romans or Carthagenians ? Samuel Atkinson, Joshua Morton. 



382 BEOWN UNTVEESITY. 

16. A Poem : — The Powers of Fancy, Job Durfee. 

17. An Oration: — The Reward of Merit. ... - Emerson Paine. 

18. An Oration : — Disinterested Benevolence essential to Perfect Society. 

Jonas Perkins, 

19. A Dispute : — Which is the most Prolific of Enjoyment, the Life of the Scholar 

or of the Statesman ? - - - - George Fisher, Morgan Nelson. 

20. Great Occasions productive of eminent Characters : — An Oration ; with the Vale- 

dictory Addresses. Enoch Pond. 

1814. 

1. An Oration, on the Rise and Decline of Reason. - - - James Ford. 

2. An Oration on the P'erversion of Power. . - - . James Barker. 

3. An Oration on Antiquity. Anson G. Chandler. 

4. An Oration on the Government of the Passions. - - Seth Alden. 

5. A Dispute : — Are Factories beneficial to the United States? 

John F. Williams, Samuel Y. Atwell. 

6. An Essay on Refinement of Taste. .... William Richmond. 

7. An Oration on Political Science. Andrew Mackie. 

8. A Greek Dissertation on Theological Wars. ... Samuel Angell. 

9. An Oration on Selecting an Object of Pursuit. - Manning Belcher, 

10. " Know Thyself " : — An Essay. - - - George H. Tillinghast. 

11. An Essay on Anticipation. Richard J. Arnold. 

12. An Essay on Sociability. xilexander Jones. 

13. Thoughts on the Dignity of Christianity. - - - Thomas B Ripley. 

14. A Dispute : — Which Profession requires the most extensive Information, that of 

the Physician, the Divine, or the Lawyer? ... George 0. Strong, 

Willard Holbrook, Reuel Washburn. 

15. An Essay on the Disgrace attending unsuccessful Merit. Charles F. Tillinghast. 

16. An Oration :— The Practical Atheist. .... Elijah F. Willey. 

17. War considered in its Effects on Literature. - - - Lemuel Parkhurst. 

18. An Oration : — The future Character of America. - Goodwin AUenton. 

19. An Oration on the Ardor of Youth. ... - Joseph Joslen. 

20. An Oration on the Literature of Ancient Greece. - - James Thayer. 

21. An Oration on the Abuse of Reason; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Ansel French. 

1815. 

1. The Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English: — Preemi- 
nence of Modern Genius. Jasper Adams. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 383 

2. An Oration: — Man Formed for Happiness. - - - John E. Howard. 

3. An Oration on Elective Governments. - . . . Crawford Allen. 

4. An Oration : — Influence of Science on Liberty. - - Dana A. Braman. 

5. A Grreek Oration: — Battle of Bridgewater. - - William A. Shepard. 

6. An Oration : — Oriental Idolatry. . . . . John B. Warren. 

7. Hero of the South : — A Poem. Alvan Bond. 

8. An Essay on Party Spirit. - - - - - - John Seamans. 

9. An Essay : — Uniformity of Conduct. - - - George Copeland. 

10. A Latin Oration. Silas P. Holbrook. 

11. War considered in its Relation to Natural and Revealed Religion : — An Essay. 

Ebenezer Coleman. 

12. Means of Preserving Peace : — An Oration. - - . Abijah Pond. 

13. " The Star in the East :" — An Oration. - .- - George Taft. 

14. An Oration : — The Fine Arts, John E. Holbrook. 

15. The Pursuit of Fame : — An Oration. - . . . Joseph Thayer. 

16. Hero of the North : — A Poem. . - . . Benjamin Whitman. 

17. The Ravages of Time : — An Oration Wilbur Fisk. 

18. National Importance of the Fine Arts: — An Oration. - Joseph Clark. 

19. Remarks on the Federal Constitution, as connected with the American Union. 

Charles Fobes. 

20. Patriot's Vision : — A Poem. - - - - - John G. Polhill. 

21. An Oration on Menial Improvement. 

Benjamin W. Cozzens, Esq., candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

22. Influence of the Study of Philosophy: — An Oration; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. - - Charles Turner. 

1816. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English : — Defence of Criticism. 

Thomas Vernon. 

2. Reality and Imagination contrasted. .... Lewis W. Fisher. 

3. An Essay on the Influence of Social Affections. - - George L. Barnes. 

4. An Essay oa Creation. Thomas P. Bancroft. 

5. An Oration on Talent. Nathaniel Searle. 

6. An Oration on the reciprocal Obligations of Learning and Religion. 

Abner Morse. 

7. Constituent Principles of Government - . . Joseph W. Torrey. 

8. Latin Oration on Eloquence. Frederick Crafts. 

9. Education essential to Political Union. - - - Joseph Mauran. 
10^ Sketch of the Progress of Society in New England. - Eliab Kingman. 



384 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

11. Virtue and Science : — An Oration. Peter B. Hunt. 

12. Science and Religion : — An Oration. . - - . James Hubbard. 

13. An Oration on War. Elisba Atkins. 

14. Ravages of Despotism. S. Augustus Arnold. 

15. The Effects of Perseverance. Jason H. Archer. 

16. Union of Philosophy and Virtue. Reuben Torrey. 

17 Reflections on the Powers of the Mind. - - - John M. Chisolm. 

18. Greek Oration on Intemperance. - - - - John Cooke Brown. 

19. The Influence of Prejudice on American Literature : — An Oration. 

Hezekiah Battelle. 

20. Acquirement of Preeminence. Isaac Bowen. 

21. Hero of the Mediterranean : — A Poem. ... - Avery Briggs. 

22. Cultivation of Taste : — An Oration. Peter Pratt. 

23. Revolution of Empires : — An Oration. - - - John Carter Brown. 

24. South American Revokition : — An Oration. - - - Solomon Peck. 

25. The Effects of early Habits on the Imagination : — An Essay. 

Benjamin B. Smith. 

26. Hints on restricting the Imagination. - - - - Benjamin F. Hallett. 

27. The American Dead : — A Poem. . . . . Alexander Wood. 

28. An Oration on the Eccentricity of Genius. - - - - Robert H. Ives. 

1817. 

1. The Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on Genius. 

Aaron Brooks. 

2. Origin and Influence of Error : — An Oration. - - Charles Jackson. 

3. Eulogy on Fulton. Everett Balcom. 

4. Science of Geology : — An Oration. - - - Jonathan Bigelow. 

5. Latin Oration, on the Dark Ages. ... - Lewis L. Miller. 

6. Struggle for Freedom : — A Poem. , - - Jonathan P. Crafts. 

7. Influence of Learning on Society: — An Oration. - Henry Jackson. 

8. Obstacles to the Progress of American Literature : — An Oration. 

Joseph F. Martin. 

9. Greek Oration, on the Powers of the Mind - - Pardon B. Farrington. 

10. Divine Immutability deduced from the Order of the Celestial Bodies. 

Abel Manning. 

11. National Honor : — An Oration. Elisha Hay ward. 

12. Dispute: — Which is the more Useful Member of Society, the Poet or the 

Orator ? Samuel Ashley, Stephen Rawson. 

13. Spirit of Patriotism. Joseph Patrick. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 385 

14. Victories of the Redeemer : — A Poem, - ... Isaac Kimball. 

15. Dispute : — Has the French Revolution been beneficial to Mankind ? 

Edward R. Lippitt, Warren Levering. 

16. Danger of American Liberty : — An Oration. - - William R. Staples. 

17. American Star : — An Oration. Elipha White. 

18. Fate of Genius : — An Oration. . . _ . Benjamin F. Allen. 

19. An Oration on the Abuse of Intellectual Powers ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

William Greene. 

1818. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Essay in English, on Early Prejudice. 

Thomas F, Carpenter. 

2. The Influence of Moral Obligation on Society: — An Oration. 

Jared W. WilHams. 

3. An Oration on the Nature and Importance of Truth and Goodness. Elias Fiske. 

4. Independence of Character. . - . . Walter P. B. Judson. 

5. An Oration on the Study of Metaphysics. - - . Jabez Porter. 

6. The Moral Influence of Memory : — An Oration. - - Martin Snell. 

7. A Latin Oration, on Greek and Roman Eloquence. - Stephen M. Rogers. 

8. Utility of Monuments : — An Oration. ... William Watson. 

9. Study of Natural History. --.-.. Alva Carpenter. 

10. Reason and Fancy : — An Oration. . - . . William S. Patten. 

11. The Atheist: — An Oration. .... John W. Whitman. 

12. An Oration on the Causes of the Decay of Genius - - Azel Utley. 

13. The Present Situation of America. Esek Aldrich. 

14. Love of Truth the Philosopher's Guide : — An Oration. Willard Pierce. 

15. The Mutual Influence of Literature and Civil Government. Solomon h. Wildes. 

16. An Oration on the Policy of Acknowledging the Independence of South 

America. ....... Elnathan P. Hathaway. 

17. The Influence of Individual Character on National Prosperity. 

Dutee J. Pearce, P]sq., candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

18. Natural Dignity of Man: — An Oration; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Jedediah L. Stark. 

1819. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on the Origin and 

Efifects of Modern Scepticism. - - - - - George Fisher. 

2. An Oration on the Decline of Infidelity. . ^ . . Francis Wood. 

3. An Oration on the Influence of Toleration on Individual and National Character. 

James's. Holmes. 
49 



386 BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 

4. A Latin Oration, on the Value and Immutability of Truth. Jesse Hartwell. 

5. An Oration on the Moral Influence of Pagan Philosophy. Joseph Merriam. 

6. A Dispute : — Are the Inducements for cultivating Science in the United States, 

equal to those of Great Britain? - Thomas Backus, Samuel B. Shaw. 

7. An Oration on the Influence of Curiosity. - - - Nathaniel Helme. 

8. A Grreek Oration : — Freedom essential to Eloquence. Daniel Gr. Sprague. 

9. An Oration : — Diversity of Opinion favorable to the Interests of Society. 

David Torrey. 

10. An Oration on the Advantages of War, - - - Elijah L. Hamlin. 

11. A Poem : — The Phenix from her Ashes. - - - Jairus S. Keith. 

12. An Oration on the Utility of Mathematical Studies. - Steuben Taylor. 

13. An Oration: — Philosophy, the only Permanent Basis of Political Institutions. 

Ira M. Barton. 

14. An Oration on the Fine Arts. William Ennis 

15. An Oration : — The gradual Advancement of the Human Species in Dignity 

and Happiness ; with the Valedictory Addresses. - - Horace Mann. 

1820. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on the Science of 

Human Nature. . . William Ruggles. 

2. Cultivation of the Imagination. Henry A. Rogers. 

3. The principal Causes of Human Instability. - - Charles B. Halsey. 

4. Freedom of Inquiry. John Goldsbury. 

5. Characteristics of the Philosopher. Ebenezer Stone. 

6. A Grreek Oration on Ancient Authors. ... - Lemuel Hall. 

7. The Character of Mahomet. Benjamin G. Church. 

8. Which has a just Claim to Superiority in Literature and Science, Greece or 

Rome? A Dispute. ... Swan L Pomroy, Joseph M'Clintock. 

9. Attention to particular rather than to general Literature, essential to extensive 

Usefulness. - Horatio G. Wheaton. 

10. Impediments to the Progress of Literature. ... Henry Hersy. 

11. Triumph of Reason. - - Abiel Childs. 

12. Prospects of African Aggrandizement. - - - Joseph J. Fales. 

13. The Analytic Science. George Gary. 

14. Defence of the American Character. . - - - Joseph Hathaway. 

15. The Dignity and Importance of Astronomy. - - - Enoch Sanford. 

16. Patronage of Genius. Augustus W. Roberts. 

17. The Resurrection and Judgment : — A Poem. - - Albert G. Greene. 

18. An Oration on National Permanency ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Welcome A. Burges. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 387 

1821. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. ...... Levi Haile. 

2. An Oration on Political Constitutions. - - - John L. Doggett. 

3. A Greek Oration on Ancient Poetry. - - - Samuel B. Parris. 

4. An Oration on the Political State of France. - - Simeon Tucker. 

5. A Conference on the Moral Law and the Gospel. - ~ Nathaniel Cobb, 

Augustus B. Keed, Moses Thatcher. 

6. An Oration : — Reflections on Italy. ----- Oliver Everett, 

7. A Latin Oration on the Progress of Christianity. - - Thomas H. Webb. 

8. An Oration on the Spirit of Despotism. - - Thoma.s J. Humphrey. 

9. An Oration on the Connection between Learning and Fame. Eliab Williams. 

10. A Philosophical Dispute: — Do Meteorites originate from Sources connected 

with the Earth 'i Eliphas Fay, Joseph Muenscher, William G. Hammond. 

11. An Oration on the Influence of early Impressions. - • Eliphalet P. Crafts. 

12. An Oration on the relative Importance of Natural and Intellectual Pl>ilosophy. 

Increase S. Smith. 

13. An Oration on the Progressive Improvement of Man. - - Lucius Alden. 

14. A Conference on Architecture, Sculpture, Painting and Poetry. 

George Griswold, Rufus Babeock, George R Russell. 

15. An Oration on Religious Philosophy; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Levi Packard. 

1822. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an English Oration, on the Influence of 

Learning in the Development of National Resources. Samuel Starkweather. 

2. A Forensic Dispute : — Would a general Diffus^ion of Knowledge contribute to 

the Permanency of the Monarchies of Europe ? - - William Barry, 
Joseph W. Farnum, Samuel Presbury, Richard E. Eddy. 

3. Poetic Excitement. Daniel L. Goodwin. 

4. An Oration in Latin : — Tbe Elegant Arts of Ancient Rome. 

William A. Crocker. 

5. The Family of the Medici. Solomon Lincoln. 

6. Recollections of Athens : — An Oration in Greek. - - Jacob H. Loud. 

7. Intellectual Philosophy. John Pierce. 

8. The Philosopher, a correct Theorist and a skillful Practitioner. John Wilder. 

9. Theological Conference : — The Excellence, History and Prospects of Christianity. 

George W. Hathaway, Samuel Kingsbury, Preston Cummings. 
10. Comparative Advantages of Europe and America for Poetical Description. 

Thomas Kinnicutt. 



388 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

11. Philosophical Forensic : — Which Country has contributed most to the Promotion 

of Physical Science, France or Great Britain? - Thomas M Burgess, 

Isaac Davis, Henry H. F. Sweet. 

12. The Old Age of the Scholar. .... Benjamin C. Cutler. 

13. An Oration on the Influence of American Literature on the Permanency of the 

American Union ; with the Valedictory Addresses. - Alexis Caswell. 

1823. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an English Oration, on Political Science. 

Silas A. Crane, 

2. An Oration : — Scottish Literature. .... John W. Tenney. 

3. A Dispute : — Has the reign of Napoleon been advantageous to Europe ? 

William Badger, Joseph W. Fearing, James Plaisted. 

4. An Oration i' — Influence of Education on National Happiness. Elias Bullard. 

5. A Latin Oration : — The Augustan Age. ... William Magoun, 

6. An Oration : — Literature indebted to Religion. - Charles Dresser. 

7. A Dispute : — Are Capital Punishments useful ? - - Caleb Belcher, 

Aholiab Johnson. 

8. A Dissertation on the Science of Mind ... Joseph P. Tyler. 

9. An Oration : — Pleasures of Hope. ... Greorge D. Prentice. 

10. A Greek Oration : — Spartan Institutions. - - - Benjamin Norris. 

11. Conference: — On Chemical, Mechanical, and Intellectual Philosophy. 

Seth Miller, Edward Mellen, Rufus Hodges. 

12. An Oration : — Influence of Curiosity in the Acquisition of Knowledge. 

Baalis Sanford. 

13. Conference on Fiction, Poetry, and Eloquence. Samuel Ames, Asa M. Bolles, 

William R. Watson. 

14. An Oration : — Influence of Situation on the Character of Nations ; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. Henry S. Fearing. 

1824. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an English Oration, on the Effects of the 

Crusades on the Refinement of Europe. ... Joseph S. Jenckes. 

2. An Oration : — The Influence of Luxury on National Prosperity, 

George A. Bray ton. 

3. A Dispute: — Is the Present Condition of America favorable to the Advance- 

ment of Literature and Science ? - - Luther Smith, Shubael Peck. 

4. An Oration : — Wonders of the Age. - - - William P. Bullock. 

5. A Latin Oration, on the former and present Condition of Italy. Allen 0. Peck. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 389 

6. An Oration : — Defence of the Irish Character. - - Ezra Wilkinson. 

7. A Dissertation on the Advantages of Biography. - John P. Turney. 

8. A Dispute : — The comparative Advantages of Peace and War. 

William H. Judd, Henry C. Jewett, George Mann. 

9. An Oration : — Literary Eminence dependent on Persevering Industry. 

Tyler Thatcher. 

10. A Greek Oration : — Ancient and Modern Greece contrasted. 

Richard F. Sweet. 

1 1 . An Oration : — The Preeariousness of Intellectual Sovereignty. 

Aruna C. H. Smith. 

12. An Oration : — The final Causes of the Diversity of Talent. David Daniels. 

13. A Conference on Navigation, Agriculture and Mechanics. 

Phineas Savery, George Dyer, Charles R. Fisk. 

14. An Oration : — Christianity favorable to the Advancement of Literature. 

William Leverett. 

15. A Conference on Fiction, Poetry and Eloquence. 

William H. Waterman, George A. Bucklin, Eliphalet W. Hervey. 

16. An Oration : — The Spirit of the Times. . . . . A.sa Potter. 

17. An Oration : — Union of Intellectual and Moral Excellence George Leonard. 

18. An Oration on the Present Disinclination for Scientific Research ; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. - - - - - - George W. Keely. 

1825. 

1. The Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English : — The Influence 

of Circumstances on Character. .... George G. King. 

2. An Oration, on some of the Prominent Events of the Age. Samuel T. Wilder. 

3. A Latin Oration, on the Study of the Latin and Greek. - George Fiske. 

4. A Conference: — Sketches of France, England, Scotland, and America. 

Sidney Williams, Benjamin Willis, John B. Herreshoff, Jared D. Richmond. 

5. An Oration : — Preeminence of Modern Times. - William T. Hawes, 

6. An Oration : — Unlimited Improvement the Prerogative of Man. 

Moses G. Thomas. 

7. A Greek Oration, on Grecian Literature. ... George W. Briggs. 

8. A Dispute : — Is Sensibility the Source of Excellence V - John Burrage, 

Henry B. Goodwin, William W. Hall, Nathaniel E, Johnson. 

9. An Oration : — Literature of the Fifteenth Century. Christopher Robinson. 
10. A Conference : — The Anxieties of Youth, Manhood and Old Age, with a view 

of Futurity. ... Lewis W. Clifford, Jerathmel B. Jenckes, 

William Pratt, George W. Patten. 



390 BKOWN UNIVEESITY. 

11. A Dispute on the Comparative Beauties of Nature and Art. Herraon Bourne, 

Thomas J. Forbes, Thomas Snow, William S. Stanley. 

12. A Dispute : — Does Despotism or Licentiousness present the greater Obstacle to 

the Establishment of Free Government V - - - Lucius W. Clark, 

Theodore L. Lincoln, Samuel Plaisted. 

13. A Conference on Civil and Religious Freedom. - - Joseph Green, 

Hugh Montgomery, Benjamin C. Wade. 

14. An Oration : — The Troubadours. . . . . Sands G. Cole. 

15. An Oration : — The Triumphs of the Scholar. - - - Horatio Pratt. 

16. A Conference on Painting, Sculpture, Poetry, and Architecture. 

Charles C. P. Hastings, Solon Hill, Onslow Peters, Samuel Watson. 

17. An Oration : — The Influence of Association upon the Intellectual Character. 

Barnas Sears. 

18. An Oration : — The Difficulty and Glory of subduing the Passions. 

David Sanford. 

19. An Oration : — American Feeling. .... Joseph H. Price. 

20. An Oration : — The Ravages of War. - - - - James B Prince. 

21. An Oration: — National Enthusiasm the source of National Greatness; with 

the Valedictory Addresses. Ira Cleaveland. 

President Sears, it will be observed, was a member of this 
class, being the largest class, without exception, that has ever 
graduated from the Institution. 

1826. ' , 

1. An Oration on the Importance of Correct Principles of Philosophizing. 

Henry Williams. 

2. A Dissertation on the Utility of Ancient Classics. - - George B. Peck. 

3. A Dissertation on Early Recollections. - - - Jason B. Blackington. 

4. A Dissertation : — Enthusiasm, Complex and Diversified in its Operation. 

Thomas Wilson. 

5. A Dissertation : — The Beneficial Effects of the Fine Arts on Society. 

Gilbert Fay. 

6. A Dispute : — Has the Reign of Napoleon been Advantageous to Europe 'I 

Walter W. Dalton, Benjamin R. Dean. 

7. Oratio Graeca de Rebus Graecorum. - - - Henry W. Thayer. 

8. A Dissertation on the Progress of Literature. - George W. Messenger. 

9. A Dissertation : — The Influence of Theatrical Exhibitions on a Nation. 

Zenas Bliss. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 391 

10. An Oration on the Diversities of National Character. - - John Daggett. 

11. A Conference on Mental Discipline, and the Progress of American Improve- 

ment. William Phillips, Francis Deane, 

12. An Oration on the Influence of Early Associations in the Formation of Character. 

Charles J. Warren. 

13. Oratio Latina de Praestantia Antiquorum. ... Calvin P. Fiske. 

14. A Dissertation : — A Knowledge of Human Nature the Glory of the Scholar. 

Eleazar C. Hutchinson. 

15. A Poem : — Last of the Carribbes. Nathan Willis. 

16. An Oration on the Benefit of Men of Genius to the World. Jonathan Aldrich. 

17. A Conference on the Value of Philosophy and Classic Literature. 

Nathan Ball, Lewis Washburn. 
18 An Oration on Hypothetical Philosophy. - - - Cyrus W. Allen. 

19. An Oration : — Distinction often the Result of Accident. Isaiah L. Green. 

20. An Oration on the Natural Right of Man in relation to Political Reformation. 

Samuel Ames, (class of 1823,) candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

21. An Oraiior on the Institution of Free Schools. - - William R. Watson, 

(class of 1823,) candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

22. An Oration : — The Life of the Man of Letters. - - George Burgess. 

This is the last Commencement at which Dr. Messer presided. 
He resigned the Presidency of the University in a letter dated 
September 23, 1826, which letter is published in our "Historical 
Sketch." (Page 28.) A prominent member of the class of 1826, 
was the Eev. Dr. Edwards A. Park, of Andover. He declined 
speaking at Commencement, and the valedictory Pionors were 
assigned to the late Bishop Burgess. John Kingsbury, LL. D., 
the present efficient Secretary of the Corporation, was also a 
member of this class. 

1827. 

1. Salutatory Addresses in Latin, and an Oration in English, on American History. 

Joseph F. Phillips. 

2. Medical Science : — An Oration. Noah Warner. 

3. A Dissertation. (Excused.) Peter C, Bacon. 

4. A Dissertation. (Excused.) Simeon B. Carpenter. 

5. Philanthropy Interwoven with the Destiny of Man : — An Oration. 

Peter R. Minard. 



392 



BKOWN UNIVERSITY. 



6. Natural Science : — An Oration. . . - 

7. A Dissertation. (Excused.) . . - - 

8. The Attainment of Excellence : — An Essay. 

9. An Essay. (Excused.) 

10. The Foundation of True Grreatness : — A Dissertation. 

11. An Essay. (Excused.) 

12. An Essay. (Excused.) 

13. Domestic Manufactures : — An Essay. 

14. A Dissertation. (Excused.) . -. . . 

15. A Dissertation. (Excused.) 

16. The Fall of Mexico : — A Poem. 

17. A Dissertation. (Excused.) 

18. The Future Drama of our Country : — A Dissertation 

19. The Mathematical Oration. - - - - - 

20. The Oration on Classical Literature. 

21. The Spirit of the Crusaders: — An Oration. 

22. An Oration. (Excused.) 

23. An Oration. (Excused.) . . . . - 

24. Advantages of America for awakening Poetic Genius : - 

25. The Oration on Moral Science. . . . . 

26. The Memory of Roger Williams ; with the Valedictory 



Williams Latham. 

- Justin Hammond. 
Thomas J. Coggeshall. 

Israel Putnam. 

James W. Thompson. 

Charles Wadsworth. 

Charles Gilman. 

Thomas R. Hunter. 

- Zaccheus Colburn. 
- Sylvanus Morse. 

Charles Thurber. 
William M. Cornell. 

- John H. Clifford. 
William H. Spear. 

Elam Smalley. 

Isaiah Moody. 

James Bishop. 

Mellen Chamberlain. 

- An Oration. 

H G. Otis Colby. 
Ebenezer Thresher. 
Addresses. 

John H. Weeden. 



The Rev. Dr. Wayland, who succeeded President Messer, 
presided for the first time at this Commencement. 

1828. 

1. The Nature and Benefits of Revolutions; with Salutatory Addresses. 

Samuel West, Jr. 

2. The Freedom of the Press : — A Dissertation. - - Lucius S BoUes. 

3. The Oration on the Character of Columbus. - - - Daniel C. Burt. 

4. The Oration on Popular Education. (Excused.) - - Maturin L. Fisher. 

5. Influence of Love of Country on National Character: — An Essay. 

Gamaliel L. Dwight. 

6. Simple Classification of the Powers and Operations of the Human Mind : — A 

Dissertation. - Francis W. Emmons. 

7. Causes for the Progress of Infidelity : — A Dissertation. Albert C. Ainsworth. 

8. Pulpit Eloquence : — An Oration. .... Francis Horton. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEKCISES. 



393 



9. 
10. 

11. 

12. 
13 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 

21. 

22. 



American Literature : — An Oration. (Excused.) - - James C. Roy. 
The Influence of Climate on Intellectual Character : — An Oration. (Excused.) 

Milton Bradford. 
Influence of Moral Cultivation upon the Prosperity and Perpetuity of Govern- 



ments : — An Essay. (Excused.) ... 
Internal Navigation : — An Essay. (Excused.) - 
American Manufactures: — An Essay. (Excused.) 
Defence of the Revolutionary Tories : — A Dissertation. 
The Effects of Music on the Passions : — An Oration. 
The Word " Farewell " : — A Poem. - 
Oration: — Influence of Natural Scenery on Character. 
Oration : — Utility of Intellectual Philosophy. 
Oration: — Force of Character. .... 

Oration : — The Education of Nature contrasted with the Education of Art. 

Amos Levering. 

Eulogy on DeWitt Clinton. Joseph Roby. 

The New England Character ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Lafayette S. Foster. 



Samuel Lamson. 

Daniel M. Hale. 

George A. Rhodes. 

Ephraim Munroe. 

John Winthrop. 

Mark A. D. Howe. 

Henry F. Edes. 

Joseph T. Robert. 

- Archer B. Smith. 



1829. 

1. Oration on the Extent of Individual Influence; with the Salutatory Addresses. 

William B. Carpenter. 

2. The Pleasures of a Literary Life: — A Dissertation. - - John H. Bird. 

3. Oration on the Economical Effects of Intellectual Culture. Benoni Carpenter. 

4. Causes of Commercial Depression : — A Dissertation. (Excused.) Elisha Dyer, Jr. 

5. What would be the most suitable Form of Government for Independent Greece ? — 

A Dissertation. Charles H. Holmes. 

6. Oration on the Dignity of the Medical Profession. - - Charles Gordon. 

7. Oration on the Permanency of the Union. (Excused.) Samuel Coney, Jr. 

8. Religious Principle, the last Hope of Empire : — An Oration. Stephen P. Hill. 

9. Oration on the Means of Perpetuating our Civil Institutions, 

10. The Old Age of the Scholar : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Nathan Dresser, Jr. 

11. Moral Effects of the Catholic Emancipation: — An Oration. Isaac D. Wilson. 

12. Progress and Effects of Free Inquiry: — An Oration. - Henry A. Miles. 

13. The Atheist : — An Intermediate Oration. - - William T. Dorrance. 

14. The Modern Literature of Germany : — An Oration. - John E. Sweet. 

15. Oration: — The Memory of the Dead. .... John A. Bolles. 

50 



James W. Cooke. 
(Excused.) 



394 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

16. Oration on the comparative Effects of Poetry and Painting. (Excused.) 

Theophilus P. Doggett. 

18. Oration on the Causes permanently influencing American Literature; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. Charles W. Crouch. 

Up to this time it had been the invariable practice to have 
Commencement exercises during both forenoon and afternoon, 
with an interval between. This year the exercises were contin- 
ued, as they have been since, without interruption until the close. 

1830. 

1. Salutatory Addresses. Christopher M. Nickels. 

2. Social Provisions of Christianity: — An Oration. - Samuel B. Swaim. 

3. Criminal Jurisprudence : — An Oration. - - Benjamin F. Thomas. 

4. The Study of the Mathematics : — An Oration. (Excused.) Elisha Stevens. 

5. Moral Courage of Legislators essential to National Greatness: — A Dissertation. 

Benjamin H. Hathorne. 

6. Improvement of Taste : — A Dissertation. (Excused.) Lucius Kingman. 

7. Character of Roger Williams : — An Essay. - - Joseph Moriarty. 

8. Influence of the Love of Fame on the Development of Genius: — An Oration. 

Ebenezer Smith, Jr. 

9. Christian Patriotism : — ^ An Oration. (Excused.) - - Gideon Dana. 

10. Southern Slavery: — An Intermediate Oration. - Hazeli W. Crouch. 

11. Ancient and Modern Eloquence compared : — A Dissertation. Ellis Ames. 

12. Excellence Attainable by All : — An Essay. - - Francis J. Lippitt. 

13. Festivals, Patriotic and Literary : — An Oration. - - Richard S. Edes. 

14. Sectional Prejudice : — An Intermediate Oration. - Albert G. Wakefield. 

15. Superiority of Moral Power : — An Oration. - - - Spencer A. Pratt. 

16. The Eras of Poetry : — An Oration. - - - - Christopher G. Perry. 

17. An Oration on National Attachments. Harrison G. 0. Colby, (class of 1827,) 

candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

18. An Oration on the Perils of Professional Life. - - John H. Clifford, 

(class of 1827,) candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

19. Oration : — The Results of Improvements in the Science of Education ; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. George I Chace. 

1831. 

1. Study essential to Poetical Excellence: — An Oration; with the Salutatory 
Addresses. David King, Jr. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 



395 



2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 

12. 

13. 



1. 
2. 

3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 
13. 

14. 
15. 

16. 

17. 



Consecrated Talent : — An Intermediate Oration. 
Literary History : — An Oration. - . . _ 
The Bible a Classic : — An Intermediate Oration. - 
Causes of tbe Superiority of Modern Society : — An Essay 
The Christian Statesman : — An Oration. 
The Spirit of Chivalry : — An Essay. ... 
An Oration on the Political Character of Milton. 
Character of Bishop Heber : — An Oration. 
Natural Science : — An Intermediate Oration 
Oration : — The Influence of the Scholar on the 
Freedom. 



Edward Otheman. 

William H. Eddy. 

Francis W. Bird. 

Joseph M. Church. 

Henry Waterman. 

William F. DeWolf. 

Nicholas Hoppin. 

Francis Peck. 

Walter S. Burges. 

Advancement of Political 

- Joseph L. Jernegan. 



The Power of Conscience : — A Poem. Mark A. D. Howe, (class of 1828,) 

candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

Oration : — The Causes of a Diseased Imagination ; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. William Gammell. 



1832. 

Salutatory Addresses. 

Poetry of Religion : — The Salutatory Oration. 
The Importance of our Political Union : — An Oration . 
Influence of Periodical Reviews : — A Dissertation. 
Christianity favorable to Political Economy : — An Oration 



Oren A. Ballou. 

Jonathan E. Arnold. 

Erasmus D. Miller. 

Henry Earle. 

Warren Leverett. 



Effects of Polemical Theology : — An Oration. (Excused. ) Thomas B. Newhall. 
Moral Influence of Fiction : — An Oration. - - Oren A. Ballou. 

Modern Education : — An Oration. .... Isaac E. Heaton. 

Moral Prospects of our Country: — An Oration. (Excused.) James Huckins. 
Autobiography of Men of Science: — An Oration. (Excused.) 

Samuel W. Peckham. 
Prospects of Europe. Affirmative : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Obadiah W. Albee. 
Prospects of Europe. Negative : — An Oration. - Charles N. Fearing. 

Moral Excellence necessary to true Greatness : — A Dissertation. 

Samuel W. Bridgham, Jr. 
Incentives to Benevolent Enterprise : — A Dissertation. - Jacob White. 
Mental Improvement the Safeguard of our Country: — An Oration. (Excused.) 

Jonathan R. Harding. 
Spirit of Enterprise necessary to a flourishing Community : — A Dissertation. 

John K. Simpson, Jr. 
Pleasures of a Cultivated Taste : — A Poem. - - Charles Holden, Jr. 



396 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



18. 
19. 

20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 

25. 
25. 



Love of Truth: — An Intermediate Oration. - 
Sanguinary Punishments : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Uses of History : — An Oration. (Excused.) 
Character of Lord Brougham : — An Oration. - 
Waste of Mind : — An Oration. - - - 

The Humility of True Science : — An Oration. 



Salmon C. Perry. 

(Excused.) 

Joseph Farnum, Jr. 

John B. White. 

Samuel Randall, Jr. 

Washington Ijeverett. 

(Excused.) John M. Maekie. 



Voluntary Associations 



•An Oration. John A. BoUes, (class of 1829,) 

candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 
Valedictory Addresses to the Corporation. (Excused.) Washington Leverett. 
Valedictory Addresses to the Class. (Excused.) - - John M. Maekie. 



1. 

2. 



4. 
5. 

6. 

7. 



9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 



1833. 

Salutatory Addresses. Arthur S. Train. 

Influence of Moral upon Intellectual Cultivation : — An Intermediate Oration. 

William B. Jacobs. 
History the Grand Inquest of Character : — A Dissertation. 

Nathan F. Dixon, Jr. 
Influence of Fieligious Belief upon the Emotions of Taste : — A Dissertation. 

Ebenezer P. Dyer. 
Object of a Liberal Education : — An Intermediate Oration. (Excused.) 

Nehemiah G. Lovell. 
Materials for American Literature : — An Intermediate Oration. George F. Pool. 
An Active Profession the best Discipline for Intellectual Character : — An Oration. 

Benjamin H. Rhoades. 
Pulpit Eloquence : — An Oration. - - - - 
The Study of History : — An Oration. (Excused.) 
Consecrated Genius : — A Poem. (Excused.) 
Decline of American Patriotism : — An Oration. 
Popular Superstitions: — An Intermediate Oration. 
Poetical Character of Scott and Byron : — A Dissertation. 
Consistency of Character : — An Essay. (Excused.) 



Scottish Covenanters. (Excused.) . . - - 

Labor the only True Genius. 

Egyptian History : — An Oration. . . . . 

The Power of Humility : — An Oration. - 

Character of Robert Hall ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 



Edward A. Stevens. 

Horatio A. Wilcox. 

Lorenzo 0. Lovell. 

Lemuel W. Washburn. 

Nehemiah Knight. 

Peres Simmons. 

Edward Freeman. 

Henry G. Wiley. 

George T. Metcalf. 

Heniy B. Anthony. 

- Arthur S. Train. 

(Excused.) 

Jabez Taber. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 397 

1834. 

1. Salutatory Addresses. Pardon D. Tiffany. 

2. Martial Spirit unfavorable to the Permanence of Free Institutions : — An Oration. 

Jonathan R. Bullock. 

3. The Study of Natural Science : — A Dissertation. - Crawford Nightingale. 

4. Love of Power: — An Oration. Hervey S. Dale. 

5. Influence of National Intercourse on the Progress of Society : — An Intermediate 

Oration. - - - - - - - - - Charles W. Wood. 

6. Patient Thought : — An Oration. - . . . Joseph Bridgham. 

7. The Education of Mercantile Men: — A Dissertation. Daniel P. Simpson. 

8. Early Character of Rhode Island: — A Dissertation. - Edward H. Hazard. 

9. Causes of the Decline of Nations : — A Dissertation. (Excused.) 

Carrington Hoppin. 

10. The Choice of a Profession : — A Dissertation. (Excused.) Augustus Leland. 

11. Moral Reasoning superior to Demonstration: — An Oration. (Excused.) 

Oliver Ayer, 

12. Value of the Ancient Classics to the American Student : — An Oration. 

Ephraim Ward. 

13. Advantages of the Study of Phrenology : — A Dissertation, David Perkins. 

14. Obstacles to the Progress of American Literature : — An Oration. 

Pardon D. Tiffany. 

15. Progress of Science : — An Oration. (Excused.) - - George Cole. 

16. System in Intellectual Labor essential to Success : — An Oration. (Excused.) 

Silas Bailey. 

17. Hostility to Truth : — An Oration. - - - Joshua W. Downing. 

18. Tendency of Revolutions : — An Oration. - - Charles K. Johnson. 

19. Responsibilities of American Young Men : — An Oration. William H. Wood. 
20 Study of Political Economy: — An Oration. (Excused.) Edward A. Lothrop. 

21. Study of Physical Science : — An Oration. (Excused.) Luther Robinson. 

22. The Philosopher and the Philanthropist Compared ; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. James T. Champlin. 

1835. 

1. The Condition and. Prospects of Africa: — An Oration. - Jonah Gr, Warren. 

2. Causes of the Superiority of Ancient Eloquence : — An Oration. 

Edward Stone. 

3. Characteristics of True Patriotism : — An Oration. - Samuel S. Sumner. 

4. The Influence of Progressive Civilization on Poetry: — An Oration. 

John M. Mackie, (class of 1882,) candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 



398 



BKOWN UNIVERSITY, 



5. The Political Principles of Chief Justice Marshall : — An Oration. 

William F. DeWolf, A. M., (class of 1831,) 

candidate for the Degree of Bachelor of Laws. 

This has sometimes been called the conscientious class. It 
appears from the record, that they were unwilling to accept of 
parts at Commencement, unless the distribution of them on the 
principle of scholarship were relinquished. This could not be 
done consistently with President Wayland's views of the matter, 
and consequently all but three of the class declined being candi- 
dates for degrees. 

The following are the names of the members of the class, as 
they are given in the annual catalogue. Fifteen of them appear 
in the triennial catalogue recently published, with the years 
when they took their degrees : — 



Leonard Bliss, 
Alfred Bosworth, 
Nathan Brittan, 
Henry Chapin, 



Otis Fisher, 
Josiah Goddard, 
Samuel L. Gould, 
Levi H. Holden, 



Joshua B. Chapin, Dwight Ives, 

George W. Cross, Charles C. Jewett, 

Samuel Curry, Justin R. Loomis, 
Giles M. Eaton, 



Joshua M. Macomber, 
Reuben Morey, 
Elias Nason, 
Zenas B. Newman, 
George M. Randall, 
Edward T. Richardson, 
William R. Saxton, 



Edward Stone, 
Samuel S. Sumner, 
William D. Upham, 
Geronimo Urmeneta, 
George G. Warren, 
Jonah G. Warren, 
John Waterman. 



1836 



1. 

2. 
3. 

4. 
5. 
6. 

7. 



Salutatory Addresses. . . - - 

Oration : — The Source of Fanaticism. 

The Periodical Literature of the Present Day 



Charles Chamberlain. 
William L. Brown. 
An Oration. 

Thomas L. Bunnell. 

Paul in Athens : — A Poem. Jacob R. Scott. 

Eulogy on William Wirt. (Excused.) - - - - John G. Jones. 
The Moral Uses of Emulation : — An Oration. (Excused.) Henry Smith. 
Political Patronage : — An Oration. (Excused.) - William C. Melleri. 
Oration : — The Qualifications for a Modern Reformer. Stephen 0. Shepard. 

Oration : — The Influence of Men of Genius on their Age. (Excused, j 

William H. Potter. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 399 

10. The Effects of Natural Agents upon the Progress of Society : — An Oration. 

Samuel Clarke. 

11. The Importance of Cultivating Social Feeling : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Thomas L. Randolph. 

12. The Dignity of the Medical Profession : — An Oration. (Excused.) 

Jotham Lincoln. 

13. Oration: — The Progress of Physical Science. (Excused.) Caleb Farnum. 

14. The Ultimate Success of great Minds : — An Intermediate Oration. 

John L. Lincoln. 

15. Oration: — Enthusiasm of Genius. - - ' - - Silas B. Randall. 

16. Oration: — The Social Influence of an Aristocracy. (Excused.) 

Thomas P. Shepard. 

17. Oration : — Benevolence and Justice, the true Principles of National Policy. 

Wilbur Tillinghast. 

18. Mental Refinement : — An Oration. (Excused.) - Charles H. Waterbury, 

19. Reverence for Antiquity: — An Intermediate Oration. (Excused.) 

John Gr. Douglass. 

20. The Connection between Science and Christianity : — An Intermediate Oration. 

(Excused.) Edward A. Bennett. 

21. The Influence of the Fine Arts : — An Intermediate Oration. (Excused.) 

Charles J. Everett. 

22. The Progress of British Reform: — An Intermediate Oration. (Excused.) 

George Jacques. 

23. Oration : — Causes of the Decline of Poetry. Charles Chamberlain. 

24. The March of Mind. John P. Knowles. 

25. Causes of the Decline of Pulpit Eloquence : — An Oration. Arthur S. Train, 

(class of 1838,) candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

26. Oration : — The Field of Philosophical Research not explored ; with the Vale- 

dictory Addresses. Horace T. Love. 

1837. 

1. Salutatory Addresses. Edwin Noyes. 

2. The Importance of an Enlightened Literary Criticism : — A Dissertation. 

Charles W. Reding. 

3. The Eloquence of the Revolution : — An Essay. Alexander G. Henshaw. 

4. The Spirit of Party : — A Dissertation. - - - George Griggs. 

5. Rome: — An Essay. George W. Peck. 

6. The Orator : — An Essay. - - - - - - Erasmus D. Fish. 



400 BEOWN UNIVEKSITY. 

7. The Influence of the Imagination on the Spirit of Enterprise : — An Oration. 

Francis Smith. 

8. The Character of Mirabeau : — A Dissertation. - - Charles R. Train. 

9. Money: — A Poem. David A. Putnam. 

10. The Importance of the Union : — An Oration. - - James W. Dallam. 

11. The Power of the Past: — A Dissertation, - - William S. Child. 

12. CoQsistency of Poetry with Philosophy and Religion : — An Oration. 

Joseph Smith. 

13. The Crusades : — An Oration. - _ . - Thomas S. Sommers. 

14. The Profession of Law: — An Intermediate Oration. Lambert J. Jones. 

15. Vindication of Poetry : — An Intermediate Oration. Nicholas P. Tillinghast. 

16. Oration: Moral Courage in the Character of the American Citizen demanded 

by the Circumstances of the Country. - - - William R. Babcock. 

17. Oration: — Transcendental Philosophy. ... James T. Champlin, 

(class of 1834,) candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts. 

18. Oration: — Caution requisite in the Character of the Philosopher; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. ... - - Samuel S. Greene. 

1838. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. William S. Ames. 

2. Florence and its Associations : — A Dissertation. John C. Stockbridge. 

3. Influence of the Classic Mythology upon the Character of the People: — An 

Essay. Samuel F. Dike. 

4. The Principles of Modern Patriotism: — A Dissertation. Charles M. Bowers. 

5. The value of Metaphysical Speculations : — A Philosophical Dissertation. 

George Young, (excused,) Ezekiel G. Robinson. 

6. Early Memoirs : — A Poem. .... Henry C. Whitaker. 

7. Importance of carrying into Manhood the Feelings of early Youth : — An 

English Oration. Alfred Colburn. 

8. The Career of the English People : — A Dissertation. James M. Clarke. 

9. The Power of the Old and the New : — A Conference. 

John W. P. Jenks, (excused,) Edward D. Pearce, Alexander Burgess. 

10. Character of Nathaniel Bowdich : — An English Oration. Azel D. Cole. 

11. Moral Progress : — An English Oration. - - George V. N. Lothrop, 

12. Limitations of Scientific Enquiry : — An English Oration. Albert N. Arnold. 

13. Moral Uses of the Fine Arts: — An Essay. (Excused.) Ezra W. Howard. 

14. Characteristics : — A Poem. .... Thomas A. Jenckes. 

15. Classical Oration : — The Mingling of Literary with Professional Studies. 

Marcus Morton. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 401 

16. Features in the present Stage of Social Progress : — An English Oration ; with 
the Valedictory Addresses. Charles S. Bradley. 

1839. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. William T, Wilson. 

2. The slow Development and Prevalence of Correct Principles : — An English 

Oration. Charles C. Burnett. 

3. Political Degeneracy:— A Dissertation. (Excused.) Ebenezer L. Shepard. 

4. Physical Science, the Useful Arts, and the Fine Arts, considered as Subjects of 

Popular Education : — A Conference. - - - Henry Gr. Steward, 

Joseph S. Pitman, John W. Dodge. 

5. The Age of Charles I : — An Essay. (Excused.) - - - Seth Mann. 

6. The Political Character of Milton: — An Essay. - - Henry C. Dorr. 

7. The Moral Spirit required in the Investigation of Truth : — A Dissertation. 

William Douglas. 

8. The Value of Antiquarian Labors : — A Dissertation. (Excused.) 

Frederic L. Batchelder. 

9. Can the Fine Arts be usefully employed as Aids in Devotion? — A Forensic 

Discussion. . . . . George W. Patch, Thomas S. Mal^jom. 

10. The Religious Influence of Modern Philosophy : — A Dissertation. 

G-eorge W. Packard. 

11. Moral Courage essential to the Character of the Statesman: — An English 

Oration. - - James B. M. Potter. 

12. Value of Literary Education to Men of Business : — A Dissertation . (Excused.) 

Albert T. Elliott. 

13. The Wiaste of Intellect: — An English Oration. (Honorary.) 

Ezra W. Fletcher. 

14. The Philosophical Oration : — The Spirit of the Philosopher. George W. Samson. 

15. The Classical Oration: — The Moral Lessons to be derived from the Ancient 

Classics. Samuel Glover. 

16. Self-Reliance : — An English Oration ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Francis E. Hoppin. 

1840. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. James R. Boise. 

2. Parallel between the United States and the Empire of Russia : — A Dissertation. 

Frank Griffin 

3. Sympathy with Men of Genius : — An Essay. - - Henry G. Weston. 

4. Political Integrity : — An Intermediate Oration. - - Jonas D. Sleeper. 

51 



402 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

5. A Discussion. (Excused.) - - - Oliver Fisk, Thomas W. Wood. 

6. The Re-Interment of Napoleon in Paris: — An Essay. James H. Coggeshall. 

7. Enthusiasm: — An English Oration. - - - Benjamin Franklin. 

8. Popular Delusions : — A Dissertation. - - - William N. Sage. 

9. An Intermediate Oration. (Honorary.) - - - - Nathan H. Dow. 

10. The Power of Personal Character: — A Dissertation. - Ebenezer Dodge. 

11. The Historian : — An Intermediate Oration. - - Obiel W. Briggs. 

12. The Influence of a Skeptical Spirit on the Progress of Truth : — A Dissertation. 

George H. Browne. 

13. The Influence of Intellectual Culture on the Moral Character: — An English 

Oration. - - - William T. Brantly. 

14. The Value of Private Life: — An English Oration. - Edward C. Larned. 

15. An English Oration. (Excused.) William Dutton. 

16. An English Oration. (Honorary.) - - - - Edward W. West. 

17. Character of the English Puritans : — An English Oration. Heman Lincoln. 

18. The Social Theorists of the Age : — An English Oration. - William Gaston. 

19. The Philosophical Oration: — The Elements of Intellectual Success. 

Abraham Payne. 

20. The Classical Oration : — The Influence of Ancient Mythology upon Literature, 

compared with that of Christianity. - - - James R. Kendrick. 

21. The Study of the Past: — An English Oration; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Nathaniel Morton. 

1841. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. Kendall Brooks. 

2. The Idea of Fate in the Grecian Drama: — The Classical Oration. 

Franklin Wilson. 

3. The Fall of Italian Freedom : — An Intermediate Oration. 

James B. R. Walker. 

4. The Reign of Charles I : — An English Oration. - - Augustus Mason. 

5. Writers of the Reign of Queen Anne : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Charles Hart. 

6. An English Oration. (Excused.) . - - - James N. Sikes. 

7. A Discussion. (Excused.) - - Asa M. Gammell, George W. Brown. 

8. The Harmony of Religion and Philosophy: — An English Oration. 

Merrick Lyon. 

9. The Martyr Spirit : — An Intermediate Oration. - - Jonas R. Perkins. 
10. Social Change : — An English Oration. - - - - Samuel S. Mann. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 403 

11. Orators of the American Revolution : — An English Oration 

Thomas C. Campbell. 
12 Professional and Political Eminence : — An English Oration. 

Benjamin A. Edwards. 

13. An Essay. (Excused.) ...... Asa P. Taylor. 

14. An Essay. (Excused.) William M. Hale. 

15. An Essay. (Excused.) David Haynes. 

16. An Essay. (Excused.) Henry S. Wheaton. 

17. An P]ssay. (Excused.) Alanson H. Tinkham, 

18. The Age and Poetry of Dante : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Samuel G. Arnold. 

19. The Sources of the Poet's Power: — An English Oration. Eichard C. Hall. 

20. The Importance of Liberal Studies to the Statesman : — An English Oration. 

Frederic W. Coffin. 

21. The Spirit of Philosophical Inquiry : — The Philosophical Oration. 

Elbridge Smith. 

22. Characteristics of the Present Age : — An English Oration ; with the Valedic- 

tory Addresses. Henry S. Frieze. 

1842. 

1 . Salutatory Oration in Latin. - - - - - Joseph R. Manton. 

2. The Conflicts of Truth : — An Oration of the Second Class. Zuinglius Grover. 

3. The Spirit of the Man of Letters: — An Intermediate Oration. 

Stephen K. Brownell. 

4. Military Power in Free States : — A Dissertation. - Amasa S. Westcott. 

5. The Pursuits of the Naturalist: — A Dissertation. - Peter F. Mackie. 
6 The Decline of the Tragic Drama: — An Intermediate Oration. 

George M Bartol. 

7. The Intellectual and Social Influence of the Pulpit: — An Intermediate Oration. 

Asa H. Gould. 

8. The Benefits and Evils of Political Associations : — A Dissertation. 

Christopher S. Tillinghast. 

9. The Economy of Christian Missions : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

John S. James. 

10. The Eloquence of Thought : — An Oration of the First Class. Henry H. Button. 

11. The Introversive Habits of the Age : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Cornelius G. Fenner. 

12. The Moral Dignity of the Federal Judiciary : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

George S. Stevenson. 



404 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

13. The Eo'otism of Scholars: — An Oration of the First Class. Edwin Metcalf. 

14. The Philosophical Oration: — The Uses of the Imagination in Philosophical 

Inquiry. Charles K. Colver. 

15. The Classical Oration : — "Vindication of Classical Studies Noah F. Packard. 

16. Life a Season of -Education : — An English Oration ; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. Albert Harkness. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. : — 

1. A Dissertation. - Isaac J. Burgess. 

2. A Dissertation. Albert E. Dennison. 

3. An Oration of the Second Class. James W. C. Ely. 

4. An Intermediate Oration. .... Charles G. W. French. 

5. An Oration of the First Class. John Parsons. 

6. An Oration of the First Class. - - - ■ ■ James M. Phipps. 

1843. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. Henry Day. 

2. The American Navy : — An Oration of the First Class. - George D. Miles. 

3. The Judicial Character : — An Intermediate Oration. - Charles W. Hewes. 

4. The Cultivation of Pulpit Oratory : — An Essay. - - Isaac F. Jones. 

5. Causes of the Permanence of the Roman Catholic Church. Edwin T. Winkler. 

6. The (Jareer of the Duke of Wellington : — A Dissertation. Daniel F. Morrill. 

7. Intellectual and Social Benefits of Commerce : — A Dissertation. 

Benjamin N. Lapham. 

8. Genius a Creative Power : — An Essay. - - - William Knowles. 

9. College Memories : — A Poem. . - - - Tracy P. Cheever. 

10. The Power of Ceremonial Forms: — An Oration of the First Class. 

Harrison V. R. Lord. 

11. The Sway of Original Thought : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Harrison C. Page. 

12. The last Days of Lord Byron : — An Oration of the First Class. 

William W. Whitman. 

13. The Philosophical Oration : — The Prophetic Power of Philosophy. 

Percival W. Bartlett. 

14. The Classical Oration : — The Claims of Liberal Studies upon Professional Men. 

Andrew Croswell. 

15. The Education of the Sentiments : — An English Oration ; with the Valedic- 

tory Addresses. Robinson P. Dunn. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEEGISES. 405 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. : — 

1. An Intermediate Oration. Benjamin Gardner. 

2. An Oration of the Second Class. ----- Lyman Jewett. 

3. An Intermediate Oration. Austin Norcross 

4. x\n Essay. William R. Pierce. 

5. An Oration of the First Class. ----- Robert B. Smith. 

6. An Intermediate Oration. - Harvey D. Walker. 

7. An Oration of the Second Class. - - - - - William Walker. 

1844. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. Alfred E. Giles 

2. The Trusts committed to the Scholar : — A Disquisition. - Cyrus Bentley 

3. The Poems ascribed to Ossian : — A Dissertation. - Jonathan E. Whitaker 

4. Florence and its Associations : — An Essay. - - Elisha D. Vinton 

5. Appeals to Popular Passions : — A Dissertation. - - - Cyrus Bean 

6. The Prospects of American Sculpture: — A Disquisition. William S. Barton 

7. The Value of Liberal Education to Mercantile Men : — An Essay. 

William G. Pierce. 

8. The Courage which arises from fixed Principles : — An Essay. Richard Lentell. 

9. The Christian Gladiator : — A Poem. - . . Sylvanus D. Phelps. 

10. The Influence of the Imagination upon Moral and Social Character: — An 

English Oration. Lewis H. Boutell. 

11. The Sympathy between Literature and Art : — An English Oration. 

William H. Davol. 

12. The Principle of Association, and its Influence upon Intellectual Character: — 

An English Oration. - . - . - Willard Sayles. 

13. The Philosophical Oration : — The Metaphysician - Richard Cushman. 

14. The Classical Oration : — The Perpetuity of the Ancient Classics. 

Joshua P. Converse. 

15. The Characteristics and Destiny of American Civilization : — An English Oration ; 

with the Valedictory Addresses. .... James H. Morton. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz.: — 

1. A Dissertation. Lucius Lyon. 

2. A Dissertation. William J. Gatling. 



406 BROWN UNIYEESITY. 

1845. 

1 . Salutatory Oration in Latin. Eli Thayer. 

2. The true Culture of the Moral Sentiments : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Samuel Haskell. 

3. The Basis of true Soul-Liberty: — A Dissertation. William H. Eaton. 

4. Unity of Opinion, not Attainable and not Desirable: — An Oration of the 

Second Class. David B. Ford. 

5. The Influence of National Song: — A Dissertation. Thomas S. Drowne. 

6. The Progress of American Art: — An Oration of the First Class. 

William H. Fuller. 

7. The Influence of a Belief in Man's Immortality, upon Literature : — A Disser- 

tation. . - - - Solon W. Bush. 

8. The Importance of a Right Direction in Social and Philanthropic Efforts : — A 

Dissertation. James Andem. 

9. Loyalty in a Republic : — An Oration of the Second Class. James M. Keith. 

10. The Effects of widely extended Territory upon National Character: — An 

Oration of the First Class. George Parks. 

11. The First Age of English Literature : — An Oration of the First Class. 

William F. Hansen. 

12. The Leading Theories in Geology : — An Oration of the First Class. Isaac F. Cady. 

13. The Rise of British Commerce : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Marshall Woods. 

14. The Classical Oration : — The Age of Longinus. James M. Symonds. 

15. The Philosophical Oration : — The Results of the Baconian Philosophy. 

John D. E. Jones. 

16. The Life of the Man of Genius : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Charles J. Muenscher. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz.: — 

1. An Oration of the Second Class, .... Levi W. Meech. 

2. An Oration of the Second Class. Cyrus Knowlton. 

3. A Dissertation. - Edwin M. Snow. 

4. A Dissertation. Joseph E. Putnam. 

1846. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. ... - Franklin J. Dickman. 

2. The Influence of Public Libraries : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Elisha C. Mowry. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 407 

3. The Spirit of Chivalry in our own Age : — An Essay. - James C. Fletcher. 

4. The Existing School of English Humorists : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

William W. Pearce. 

5. " Non omnis moriar" : — An Oration of the Second Class. Francis Wayland. 

6. Hero Worship : — An Intermediate Oration. - - - Samuel S. Cox. 

7. The Manufactures of New England : — A Dissertation. Thomas C. Grreene. 

8. The Doom of the Jewish Race : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Benjamin B. Babbitt. 

9. The Political Destinies of Italy : — An Essay. - - William Goddard. 

10. The Equality of Human Destiny: — An Oration of the First Class. 

Raymond Lopez. 

11. The Restoration to Italy of her Works of Art : — An Oration of the First Class. 

John F. Chapin. 

12. Prospective Results of Pacific Relations between England and America : — An 

Intermediate Oration. Aaron W. Chaffin. 

13. Faith, the Basis of great Actions : — An Oration of the First Class. Thomas Durfee. 

14. The Classical Oration: — The Power of the Ancient Classics, as tested at the 

Revival of Learning. Stephen Waterman. 

15. The Philosophical Oration : — The Philosophy of the Schoolmen. 

Frank W. Anthony. 

16. The Friendships of Men of Letters: — An Oration; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. Henry I. Coe. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. :-— 

1. An Intermediate Oration. ------ Judson Benjamin. 

2. An Intermediate Oration. - - -. - - Ebenezer Dawes.. 

3. A Dissertation. Francis E. Prevaux. 

4. A Dissertation. Calvin H. Topliff. 

5. A Dissertation. James S. Rogers. 

6. An Essay. Thomas P. I. Goddard. 

7. An Essay. - - - Nathaniel W. Metcalf. 

8. An Essay. Henry L. Rider. 

1847. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin, Phineas Howe. 

2. The Learning of the Arabians : — An Intermediate Oration. George Capron. 

3. Want of National Spirit in American Literature : — A Dissertation. 

Nicholas Hathaway. 



408 ■ BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

4. The Sources of the Scholar's Power : — An Essay. - Charles J. Bowen. 

5. International Charity : — An Oration of the First Class. - James P. Boyce. 

6. Romance of Uncivilized Life : — An Essay. - - Charles M. Allin. 

7. The Permanence of English Civilization : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Edwin Dibell. 

8. The Victories of War and the Victories of Peace : — A Poem. 

Samuel H. Judson. 

9. The Judiciary, as affected by National Character: — An Oration of the First 

Class, Thomas H. Ripley, 

10. Spanish Colonization in America: — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Thomas S. Anthony. 

11. The Eloquence of Silence : — An Intermediate Oration. - Joshua J. Ellis. 

12. The Scientific Artizan : — An Intermediate Oration. - Elijah B. Stoddard. 

13. The Emigrations of our own and of earlier Ages: — An Oration of the First 

Class. Cyrus Garnsey. 

14. Utilitarian Education: — An Oration of the First Class. Reuben A. Guild 

15. The Classical Oration : — The Poetic Character of the early Roman Annals. 

Ambrose P. S. Stuart. 

16. The Philosophical Oration : — The Academy of Plato. - George P. Fisher. 

17. The Scepticism of Men of Science: — An Oration; with the Valedictory 

Addresses, Francis W. Weston. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz.: — 

r. A Dissertation. Henry S. Baker. 

2. A Dissertation. ..-.--- Albert H. Campbell. 

3. A Dissertation. - - Benjamin Thomas. 

'4. An Essay. James W. Lathrop. 

1848. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. James E. Leach. 

2. The Relation of the Author to his Age : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Thomas B. Barnaby. 

3. The Social and Moral Results of the increased Facilities of Communication : — 

An Essay. Joseph H. Bourn. 

4. The Mission of St. Patrick to Ireland : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Samuel B. Vernon. 

5. Architecture as an Exponent of a Nation's Character : — A Dissertation. 

Augustus Hoppin. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 409 

6. The New Netberlanders and their Descendants : — A Dissertation. 

George Wolford. 

7. Civil Freedom dependent upon pure Christianity : — A Dissertation. 

James W. Smith. 

8. The Treatment of the Insane : — A Dissertation. - - - George S. Taft. 

9. The Remote Connections of Events: — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Nehemiah A. Leonard. 

10. Florence in the Middle Ages : — An Intermediate Oration. Pendleton Murrah. 

11. The Classical Oration : — The Elysium of the Ancient Mythology. 

Lafayette Burr. 

12. The Ideal and the Real in the Life of the Scholar : — An Oration. 

James E. Leach. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. : — 

1. An Oration of the Second Class. Samuel Breck. 

2. The Valedictory. - , Jeremiah 0. Carr. 

3. A Dissertation. Joseph B. Clark. 

4. An Essay. Warren B. Clapp. 

5. A Dissertation. George G. Curtiss. 

6. An Essay. - -" Miner Frink. 

7. An Intermediate Oration. ..... Onslow Hemenway. 

8. An Oration of the Second Class. Jonathan Blabbitt. 

9. The Philosophical Oration, Alfred F. Wilder. 

1849. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. William E. Tolman. 

2. Faith in Social Progress: — An Intermediate Oration. William H. Mills. 

3. The Congress of 1774 : — An Intermediate Oration. William H. Alden. 

4. Religion as an Element of Poetry : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Horatio Gray. 

5. The English Race in America : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

James H. Duncan. 

6. The Historical Dramas of Shakspeare : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Julian Hartridge. 

7. The Prospects of Italian Freedom : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Thomas D. Robinson. 

8. The Uses of the Imagination in Philosophy : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Rowland Hazard. 
52 



410 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

9. Socialism: — An Intermediate Oration. . . - . Lloyd Morton. 

10. The Saxons in the Reign of Henry II : — An Intermediate Oration. 

William R. Brownell. 

11. The Christians of the High Alps: — An Intermediate Oration. 

Hem an L. Wayland. 

12. The Scholar in the Fourteenth and in the Nineteenth Century: — An Oration 

of the First Class. Benjamin F. Thurston. 

13. The Philosophical Oration : — The Relations of Speculative Philosophy to Active 

Life. Adin B. Underwood. 

14. The Classical Oration: — Roman Pride of Country as exhibited in Roman 

Literature. James Tillinghast. 

15. Modern Ideas of Genius: — An Oration; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

James B. Angell. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz.: — 

1. An Oration of the First Class. John M. Francis. 

2. A Dissertation. Luther R. Long. 

3. A Dissertation. John G. Loring. 

4. An Oration of the Second Class. - - - - Isaac N. Tourtellott. 

5. An Essay. Csesar A. Updike, 

1850. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. .... George E. Allen. 

2. Logic and Wit: — An Intermediate Oration. - - Erastus Worthington. 

3. Brahminism : — A Dissertation. - - - - - Stephen W. Price. 

4. The Revolutionary Leader: — An Intermediate Oration. Edward L. Pierce. 

5. The Office of Poet-Laureate: — An Intermediate Oration. John W. Keunady. 

6. The Early Legislation of New England : — An Intermediate Oration. 

James Brown. 

7. Hallowed Ground : — An Oration of the First Class, - Charles E. Aaron, 

8. Fidelity to the Constitution in Public Men : — An Intermediate Oration. 

Henry C. Rice. 

9. The Newspaper Press: — An Oration of the First Class. Alvah W. Godding. 

10. The Prometheus of the Grecian Drama : — The Classical Oration. 

Henry F. Lane. 

11. Humility in the Character of the Philosopher: — The Philosophical Oration. 

George N. Anthony. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 411 

12. The Monastic Sctolar : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

James 0. Murray. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. : — 

1. An Intermediate Oration. - John Morris. 

2. An Intermediate Oration. Jesse H. Buck. 

3. An Oration of the Second Class. ... - Samuel A. Simpson. 

1851. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. - - . - Hamilton B. Staples. 

2. Diversities in the Estimation of Character : — An Oration. Emmons P. Bond. 

3. The Loyalists of the American Revolution : — An Oration. John S. Brayton. 

4. The Culture of the Sensibilities as a Part of Education : — An Oration. 

Brainard W. Barrows. 

5. The Literary Characters of Carlyle and Macaulay : — An Oration. 

James B. Simmons. 

6. Physics and Metaphysics : — An Oration. ... Uriah Thomas. 

7. The Taste for Politics among the American People : — An Oration. 

Frederic Mott. 

8 The Claims of Common Sense : — An Oration. - - Edwin H. Heard. 

9. The Taste for the Beautiful : — An Oration. - - Asa M. Williams. 

10. Passion — An Element of Genius : — An Oration. - Simeon B. Durfee. 

11. The Perils of American Civilization: — An Oration. Daniel J. Glazier. 

12. The Living Principle of Literature : — The Classical Oration. Jeremiah L. Diman. 

13. Philosophical Views of History : — The Philosophical Oration. Alfred Lawton. 

14. The true Fruits of Scholarship : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Richard Metcalf. 

This was the first Commencement after the introduction of 
the so called " New System." It was held July 9, and the follow- 
ing year it was held July 14, after which the time was restored 
to the " first Wednesday in September." 

1852. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. . . . . Nathan W. Moore. 

2. The Influence of Climate on Mental Development: — An Oration. 

Joseph C. Wightman. 



412 BEOWN UNIYERSITY. 

3. The Utilitarian Philosophy of the Times : — An Oration. Johnson A. Gardner. 

4. The Gladiatorial Shows of Rome : — An Oration. Charles E. Stephens. 

5. The Permanent Element of National Prosperity : — An Oration. 

William H. Watson. 

6. The Republic of San Marino: — An Oration. - - Frederick 0. Barstow. 

7. English Travellers in America : — An Oration. - - Allen I. Ormsbee. 

8. The Dignity of Agricultural Pursuits : — An Oration. Miles J. Fletcher. 

9. Sincerity in Great Men : — An Oration. - - - Clarendon Waite. 

10. The Buried Cities of the East : — An Oration. - Thomas F. Richardson. 

11. Jerusalem and its Associations : — An Oration. - Edward S. Atwood. 

12. The Influence of the Supernatural: — An Oration. George D. Boardman. 

13. Virtue an essential Element of true Patriotism : — An Oration. 

William H. Dickinson. 

14. The Tendencies of Grecian Mythology : — The Classical Oration. 

Alexander Far num. 

15. The Unity of History: — The Philosophical Oration. Samuel Brooks. 

16. Humanity in Literature : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Lucius W. Bancroft, 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. : — 

1. An Oration. George A. Allen 

2. An Oration. William M. Brooke 

8. An Oration. - - Ebenezer W. Bloom 

4. An Oration. - - Charles H. Parkhurst 

5. An Oration. - - - - , - - - - Alfred B. Satterlee 

6. An Oration. Grenville S. Stevens 

1853. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. - - . - - Edward T. Caswell, 

2. The Popular Patronage of Literature : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Eaton W. Maxcy, Jr. 

3. The Historical Associations of the Tower of London : — An Oration of the First 

Class. Lewis E. Smith. 

4. The Anglo-Saxon Monasteries : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

DeWitt C. Brown. 

5. Written and Spoken Oratory : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Asa Arnold. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. ' 413 

6. Will — the True Destiny : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Samuel D. Cozzens. 

7. The Language of Emblems: — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Greorge D. Henderson. 

8. The Prospects of Chinese Civilization : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Howard M. Jones. 

9. The Intellectual Benefits of Scientific Studies : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Henry Westcott. 

10. The Natural Motors: — An Oration of the Second Class. Alexander L. Holley. 

11. The Conflicts of Popular Opinion: — An Oration of the First Class. 

Jared M. Heard. 

12. The Supernatural Characters of Shakespeare : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Osborn E. Bright. 

13. The Commercial Spirit of the Age : — An Oration of the First Class. 

John Sanderson, Jr. 

14. The Claims of a True Philosophy: — The Philosophical Oration. 

William H. Kingsbury. 

15. The Extinction of Classical Paganism : — The Classical Oration. 

Francis M. McAllister. 

16. The Power of Personal Character : — An English Oration; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. -...---- Frank S. Bradford. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. : — 

1. An Oration of the First Class. . . - - Henry H. Burrington. 

2. An Oration of the First Class. ... - George F. Kilton. 

3. An Oration of the First Class. Charles T. Miller. 

4. An Oration of the First Class. . . . . Isaac M. Murdock. 

5. An Oration of the Second Class. Leonard B. Pratt. 

6. An Oration of the First Class. . . . . George H. Woods. 

1864. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. ... - Edward P. Taft. 

2. The Civil Code of Napoleon : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Everett A. Carpenter. 

3. The Aggressive Policy of Russia: — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Alexander M. Higgins. 

4. Commerce — A Pledge of International Peace: — An Oration of the First 

Class. - - ' Charles H. Thompson. 



414 BROWN UNIVEESITY. 

5. The Ideal of the American Drama : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

John Goforth. 

6. The Last Days of Schiller: — An Oration of the First Class. Edward L. Davis. 

7. The Exile of the French Acadians : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Harris R. Greene. 

8. The Romance of King Arthur : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Henry C. Parsons. 

9. American Forensic Tastes : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

George P. Upton. 

10. The Genius of Richard Baxter : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Bartlett Mayhew, Jr. 

11. The Power of Devotion to Principle : — x\n Oration of the First Class. 

John W, Vernon. 

12. The Popular Element of Christianity : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Thomas Vernon. 

13. American Loyalty : — An Oration of the First Class. - Walter Hillman, Jr. 

14. The Martyr Spirit : — An Oration of the First Class. - Julius E. Johnson. 

15. The Prophetic Power of Historical Philosophy : — The Philosophical Oration. 

Horatio N. Slater, Jr. 

1 6 . Classical Scholarship — An Element of the Power of the Orator : — The Classical 

Oration. William B. Carpenter. 

17. The Contemplative Scholar: — An English Oration; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. - Benjamin Braman. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz. : — 

1. An Oration of the Second Class. . . . - George B. Cargill. 

2. An Oration of the Second Class. - - - - Alexander W. Couper. 

3. An Oration of the First Class. - - - - Dormer L. Hicoek. 

4. An Oration of the First Class. .... Henry W. Johnston. 

5. An Oration of the Second Class. Enos Hunger. 

6. An Oration of the First Class. . . - . Nathaniel Pool, Jr. 

7. An Oration of the First Class. .... Samuel A. Read. 

8. An Oration of the First Class. John H. Rogers. 

9. An Oration of the Second Class. ... - Amos D. Smith, Jr. 

10. An Oration of the Second Class. . - - - Thomas H. Tucker. 

11. An Oration of the Second Class. ... - Albert G. Utley. 

12. An Oration of the Second Class. Jared I. Williams. 

13. An Oration of the First Class. Charles H. Zug. 



COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. 415 

After this year the names of those who were excused from 
speaking are omitted in the original programmes. 

1855. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Lutin. .... William Gr. Dearth. 

2. The Daimonion of Socrates : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Richard F. Putnam. 

3. The last Days of Copernicus : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Charles F. Holbrook. 

4. The Use of the Imagination in Geological Studies : — An Oration of the First 

Class. Theodore D. Warren. 

6. The Uses and the Abuses of Biography : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

James W. Brooks. 

6. Literature — A Solace in Sorrow: — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Morris B. Morgan. 

7. Failures in Science : — An Oration of the Second Class. Cortland Hoppin. 

8. Theodore Korner, the Hero-Poet: — An Oration of the First Class. 

Horatio Rogers, Jr. 

9. The Power of Names : — An Oration of the First Class. Charles Turner. 

10. The Turkish Power in Europe : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Henry D. Williams. 

11. The Fiction of Lethe : — An Oration of the First Class. Thomas Simons, Jr. 

12. Professional Enthusiasm, an Element of Success : — An Oration of the First 

Class. - - - -' Charles Phelps. 

13. Young America : — A Poem. Marcus Waterman. 

14. Comte's Law of Progress in Philosophy : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Albert H. Plumb. 

15. The Literary Influence of the English Bible : — An Oration of the First Class. 

George B. Paine. 

16. Misanthropy of Byron : — An Oration of the First Class. John F. Tobey. 

17. Ecclesiastical Architecture and Religious Faith: — An Oration of the First 

Class. ...-...-. Joseph D. Long. 

18. Aristotle and the Schoolmen : — The Philosophical Oration. William J. Batt. 

19. The Civilizing Influence of the Olympic Games : — The Classical Oration. 

William H. Pabodie. 

20. The Political Obligations of Educated Men: — An English Oration; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. ----- Joseph W. Congdon. 



416 BEOWN UNIVEESITY. 

This is the last Commencement at which Dr. Wayland pre- 
sided. At the close of the exercises Chancellor Tobey, in behalf 
of the Corporation, addressed the alumni and friends of the 
University, and also the retiring President, reviewing his long 
and faithful services, and stating the action of the Corporation in 
in regard to his resignation. 

1856. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. ... - Greorge L. Stedman. 

2. The Influence of Physinal Causes on New England Character. 

Charles H. Wood. 

3. The Fitness of Military Commanders for Civil Office. - Charles Blake. 

4. The Reverses of Lamartine. Oliver S. Westcott. 

5. The Modern Spirit of Intolerance. . _ . Samuel L. Crocker, Jr. 

6. The Literary Associations of the Mediterranean. - - John E. Tourtellotte. 

7. Cooper's American Novels. Henry C. Ford. 

8. Commerce and Civilization. - - - - - Nicholas B. BoUes. 

9. The Mutual Relations of Spain and America. - William B. Crocker. 
ID. Ancient and Modern Methods of Philosophical Investigation. Charles H. Alden. 

11. The Moral Influence of Esthetic Culture. - - - Benjamin L. Ray. 

12. The Personal Responsibilities of the American Citizen. James M. Cutts, Jr. 

13. Milton — The Advocate of Intellectual Freedom. - Ezra H. Heywood. 

14. The Educating Power of Physical Science. - - Nathaniel Gr. Bonney. 

15. Franklin before the House of Commons in 1766. - Francis W. White. 

16. Patriotism in Literature : — The Philosophical Oration. - Richard Olney. 

17. The Form and the Spirit of sound Literary Culture: — An English Oration; 

with the Valedictory Addresses. . _ . . Charles B. GoS. 

This is the first Commencement at which Dr. Sears presided. 

1857. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. George Tanner. 

2. The Fairy Mythology of England : — An Oration. - George W. Carr. 

3 . Modern Scientific Defenders of Christianity : — An Oration. George H. Marston. 

4. Pascal at Port Royal : — An Oration. - - - Elisha S. Aldrich. 

5. The Reality of Fiction : — An Oration. - - Alexander T. Britton. 

6. The Moorish Conquerors of Granada : — An Oration. - Frederick Paine. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. " 417 

7. The Social Condition of France: — An Oration. - - Thomas Dean. 

8. Heathen Prophecies of Christianity: — An Oration. - Aaron C. Lyon. 

9. The Sacred Places of New England: — An Oration. - Samuel C. Eastman. 

10. The True Aim of Art : — An Oration. - - - Kobert H. Ives, Jr. 

11. The Development of Milton's Genius: — An Oration. - John B. Braekett. 

12. The Classical Oration in Greek. . - - . Edward W, Clarke. 

13. The Historic Imagination : — The Philosophical Oration. - Daniel Goodwin. 

14. The Scholar's Sympathy with his Age : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. - Edward H. Cutler. 

1858. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. Arnold Green. 

2. True Success: — An Oration of the First Class. Leander C. Manchester. 

3. The Pleasures of Mathematical Studies : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Samuel G. Silliman. 

4. The Last Gladiatorial Show of Rome : — An Oration of the First Class. 

John L. Snow. 

5. Monumental History : — An Oration of the First Class. Aaron H. Nelson. 

6. Literary Labors in Old Age : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Henry G. Safford. 

7. Chemistry, — A Detector of Crime : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Alfred North. 

8. The Madonna, — A Subject for the Painter : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Edward M. Gushee. 

9. The Conversion of Constantino : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Robert Millar. 

10. The Worship of the Nile : — An Oration of the Second Class. Walter B. Noyes. 

11. William the Conqueror, and William the Deliverer: — An Oration of the First 

Class. Howard M. Emerson. 

12. The Recreations of Professional Life : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Samuel W. Abbott. 

13. The Permanence of Literature : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Francis Mansfield. 

14. The Imagination of the North American Indian: — An Oration of the First 

Class. Moses Lyman, Jr. 

15. The Claims of Eloquence on the American Scholar: — An Oration of the First 

Class. Charles L. Colby. 

16. Art, — A Religious Teacher : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Solon W. Stevens. 
53 



418 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

17. The Nobility of Intellect : — An Oration of the First Class. Robert B. Chapman. 

18. Faust, — The Reflection of Goethe's Character : — An Oration of the First Class. 

William B. Phillips. 

19. TheDionysia: — The Classical Oration, in G-reek, - - Eliab W. Coy. 

20. The Philosophy of Spinoza: — The Philosophical Oration. Samuel Thurber. 

21 . The Unrecognized Power of Character : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. Joseph H. Gilraore, 

1859. 

1. Latin Salutatory. Walter M. Potter. . 

2. Excessive Tendencies to Assodation : — An Oration of the First Class. "^ 

Albert K. Potter. 

3. The Shrine of Canterbury : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Charles H. Perry. 

4. The Versatility of Sir Walter Raleigh : — An Oration of the First Glass. 

Adoniram B. Judson. 

5. The Illustrative Arts: — An Oration of the Second Class. Lucius S. Bolles. 

6. The Tower of London : — An Oration of the First Class. Silas P, Holbrook 

7. The Venetian Dominion of the Sea : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

William D. King. 

8. The Social Satire of Thackeray : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

George L. Porter. 

9. The Victories of Peace : — An Oration of the First Class. Charles M. Smith. 

10. A Knowledge of History necessary to the Reformer : — An Oration of the Second 

Class. - - - - - - - ■ - - Frederick D. Ely. 

1 1 . The Friendship of Goethe and Schiller : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Elnathan Judson. 

12. The Position of Power : — An Oration of the First Class. Timothy W. Bancroft. 

13. The Future of the Slavic Race : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Charles H. Brown. 

14. The Melancholy of Cowper : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Samuel T. Poinier. 

15. Latin — The Language of Scholars : — An Oration of the First Class. 

David Weston. 

16. The DecUne of Imagination in Old Age : — The Philosophical Oration. 

Thomas F. Tobey. 

17. The Scholar's Sentiment of Veneration for the Past: — An Oration; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. William W. Keen, Jr. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 419 

The valedictory honors of the Class were awarded by the 
Faculty to Edward Lawton Barker, of Newport, who declined 
them for the same reason that the class of 1835 refused to 
become candidates for degrees. 

1860. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. . - . . Horace S. Bradford. 

2. The Eloquence of Political Kevolutions : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Granville S. Abbott. 

3. The Author's Dependence on the Public : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Benjamin F. Pabodie. 

4. The Youth of Milton : — An Oration of the First Class. William Grosvenor, Jr. 

5. New England Character developed by Local Causes : — An Oration of the First 

Class. Robert G. Johnson. 

6. Arabian Fiction : — An Oration of the First Class. - George W. Hall. 
7: Monumental Testimony to the Historic Truth of the Scriptures: — An Oration 

of the First Class. Wayland Hoyt. 

8. The Battle Fields of the Po : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Henry J. Spooner. 

9. The Creative Power of Writers of Fiction: — An Oration of the First Class. 

Francis M. Pond. 

10. The Law of Intellectual Sacrifice : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Henry K. Porter. 

11. The Organizing Power of a Principle : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Adoniram J Gordon. 

12. The Social Discipline of College Life : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Howard M. Bice. 

13. The Classical Oration in Greek. . . . . James D. Perry, Jr. 

14. Flealthy Scepticism : — The Philosophical Oration. - Samuel W. Duncan. 

15. The Philosophic Method of Study: — An Oration; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. Franklin B. Gamwell. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz.: — 

1. An Oration of the First Class. ... - Martin Bennett, Jr. 

2. An Oration of the Second Class. ... Joseph G. Chapman. 

3. An Oration of the First Class. .... George W. Ketcham, 



420 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

4. An Oration of the First Class. John S. Larwill. 

5. An Oration of the First Class. - . - . William M. Ledwith, 

6. An Oration of the First Class. Horace G. Miller, 

7. An Oration of the Second Class. . . - . Frederick A. Mitchel. 

8. An Oration of the Second Class. .... John Whipple, Jr. 

The practice adopted in 1856, of omitting from the programmes 
the names of those who are excused from speaking, seems to have 
been departed from this year, and also the two years immediately 
following. 

1861. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. .... Albert N. Drown. 

2. The Immortality of Literature : — An Oration of the First Class. 

George M. Daniels. 

3. Heroic Ignorance : — An Oration of the First Class. George A. Holbrook. 

4. Truth of Manner in Literature : — An Oration of the First Class, 

Elisha C. Mowry. 

5. The Oratory of Henry Clay : — An Oration of the First Class. John J. Ely. 

6. The Justifiableness of War : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Charles E. Hosmer. 

7. Charles Dickens, — A Reformer of Legal Abuses: — An Oration of the First 

Class. Henry M. Lovering. 

8. The Poetry of the Legends of King Arthur: — An Oration of the First Class. 

Charles H. Lincoln. 

9. The Dignity of the Mechanic Arts: — An Oration of the Second Class. 

Stephen A. Cooke, Jr. 

10. Sir Walter Scott, — The Painter of Chivalry ;— An Oration of the First Class. 

Frank H. Carpenter. 

11. Naval Supremacy : — An Oration of the First Class. John K. Bucklyn. 

12. The Brahmin Caste of New England : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Henry S. Burrage. 

13. The Love of Old Books : — An Oration of the First Class. Sumner U. Shearman. 

14. The Confessions of Augustine and of Rousseau : — An Oration of the First 

Class. ^ - - - William W. Douglas 

15. Patriotic Scholarship : — An Oration of the First Class. Charles M. Stead. 

16. The Purity of the Ideal of Christianity, — An Evidence of its Divine Origin : — 

The Philosophical Oration. .... Edward 0. Stevens. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 421 

17. The Tragic Element in Greek Thought : — The Classical Oration 

William H. Randall. 

18. The Evils of Self-Consciousness : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory Addresses, 

Isaac B Barker 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz.: — 

1. An Oration of the First Class. . . . . . Charles D. Cady. 

2. An Oration of the First Class. ----- Charles H. Chapman. 

3. An Oration of the Second Class. - - - - Thomas H. Edsall. 

4. An Oration of the Second Class. . - - - - Charles H. Hidden. 

5. An Oration of the Second Class. - - - - George 0. Hopkins. 

6. An Oration of the First Class, ----- Charles Matteson. 

7. An Oration of. the First Class. - - - 1 Alfred D. Thomas. 

8. An Oration of the First Class. . - - - Washington B. Trull. 

9. An Oration of the First Class, . - - - James C. Williams. 

At the time of the final examinations and the assignment oi 
parts, the following members of the Class were absent from Col- 
lege serving as volunteers in the army of the United States ; 
they were therefore not appointed to speak: — 

James A. DeWolf, *Leland D. Jenckes, Frederick M. Sackett. 

William W. Hoppin, Jr., John W. Rogers, 

1862. 

1. Salutatory Oration in Latin. Henry F. Colby. 

2. National Policy determined by Commercial Interest : — An Oration of the First 

Class. Josiah R. Goddard. 

3. Modern Lay Preachers: — An Oration of the First Class, f Frank W. Draper. 

4. The Originality of Shakspeare : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Isaac H. Saunders. 

5. The Ministry of Science to Human Life : — An Oration of the First Class. 

John J). Thurston. 

6. The Conflict of Opinion and Interest : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Henry C. Carr. 

7. The Poetry of Popery : — An Oration of the First Class, f George T. Woodward. 

* Wounded and taken prisoner at Manassas. 

■f Enlisted in the army after preparing his Oration. 



422 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

8. The Patriotic Influence of National Monuments : — An Oration of the First 

Class. William D Martin. 

9. De Grasparin's Sympathy with the United States : — An Oration of the First 

Class - Lucius H. Niles. 

10. The Artistic Aspirations of Eaphael: — An Oration of the First Class. 

John E. Lester. 

11. The Physical Conditions of Poetical Productiveness: — An Oration of the First 

Class. - - * William I. Brown. 

12. The Rewards of Authorship : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Thomas L. Angell. 

13. The Perpetuated Growths of ICarly Years : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Francis A. Daniels, 

14. The Sanctuaries of Decaying Language : — An Oration of the Fir&t Class. 

Josiah N. Cushing. 

15. The Spontaneous Nature of Morality: — The Philosophical Oration. 

Thomas B. Stockwell. 

16. The Origin of the Classic Myths: — The Classical Oration. Frederic Sherman. 

17. The Scholar's Relations to Humanity: — An Oration; with the Valedictory 

Addresses. ...---. James H. Remington. 

Parts for Commencement were also assigned to the following 
members of the Class, who were excused from speaking, viz.: — 

1. An Oration of the First Class. - . . - William M. Bailey, Jr. 

2. An Oration of the First Class. - , - - - David S. H. Smith. 

3. An Oration of the First Class. Jason B. Kelly. 

At the time of the final examinations and the assignment of 
parts, the following members of the Class were absent from Col- 
lege, serving as volunteers in the army of the United States; 
they were therefore not appointed to speak : — 

Joshua M. Addeman, Joshua Mellen, Addison Parker, Jr. 

1863. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. ... - Charles C. Cragin. 

2. Absolute Truth — The Life of Literature : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Samuel R. Dorrance. 

* Enlisted in the army aifter preparing his Oration. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 423 

3. Esprit de Corps: — An Oration of the Second Class. Frederick B. Sears. 

4. Polish Nationality : — An Oration of the First Class. Samuel H. Pratt. 

5. The Gothic Army-Bible : — An Oration of the First Class. Charles F. Taylor. 

6. Spectrum- Analysis : — An Oration of the First Class. John H. Appleton. 

7. The Accountability of Writers of Fiction : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Orville B. Seagrave. 

8. Oratory in a Republic : — An Oration of the First Class. Daniel J. Holbrook. 

9. The Labors of Erasmus : — An Oration of the First Class. Frank D. Douglass. 

10. The Coliseum and St. Peter's — Each a Type of the Rome of its Day : — An 

Oration of the First Class. Oscar B. Mowry. 

11. The Office of the Semitic Tongues in Human Culture: — An Oration of the 

First Class. George H Greene. 

12. The Prospects of American Literature in case of Disunion : — An Oration of 

the First Class. - George W. Calkins. 

13. Character — A Power : — An Oration of the First Class. Forrest F. Emerson. 

14. The Bible in Modern Poetry : — An Oration of the First Class. 

George H. Miner. 

15. The Dignity of Trifles : — An Oration of the First Class. Benjamin F. Clarke. 

16. 1'he Platonic View of Mathematics : — The Philosophical Oration. 

Henry S. Latham, Jr. 

17. The Greek Temple — A Representative of Greek Life : — The Classical Oration. 

Denham Arnold. 

18. The Perpetuation of College Discipline in after Life: — An Oration; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. Charles P. Robinson. 

1864. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. .... Henry B. Miner. 

2. Diversity in the Forms of the State : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Frank W. Love. 

3. Morality in the Development of Genius : — An Oration of the First Class. 

John S. Holmes. 

4. The French and the English. Revolutionary Spirit: — An Oration of the First 

Class. * Francis M. Tyler. 

5. The Puritan Spirit of New England : — An Oration of the First Class. 

George B. Barrows. 

6. Competitive Examinations for Public Place : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Henry B. Whitman. 

* Atsent on account of enlistment for one hundred days. 



424 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

7. Leadership — An Oration of the First Class. - - - Luther White. 

8. St. Bartholomew's Day : — An Oration of the First Class. Henry C. Bowen. 

9. Swiss Liberty: — An Oration of the First Class. - - Eatcliffe Hicks. 

10. The Democratic Tendencies of Commerce : — An Oration of the First Class. 

David Fales. 

11. The Providence of Grod in History : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Lewis F. Raymond. 

12. Individuality essential to Success : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Joshua F. Ober. 

13. Literary Dissipation: — An Oration of the First Class. - Benjamin C. Dean. 

14. The Norman Element in English Civilization : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Amos Robinson. 

15. Hawthorne's Delineation of Early New England Society: — An Oration of the 

First Class. George F. Jelly. 

16. The Significance of Preparation : — An Oration of the First Class. 

George H. Hurlbert. 

17. The Argument of Success: — An Oration of the First Class. 

George M. Carpenter, Jr. 

18. The Laws of a Nation — an Exponent of its Religion: — An Oration of the 

First Class. ------- Frank T. Hazlewood. 

19. The Utility of Scientific Research : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Samuel F. Hancock. 

20. The Scotch Covenanters as presented in " Old Mortality: " — An Oration of the 

First Class. James W. Colwell. 

21. The Faust Legend : — An Oration of the First Class. - Charles E Willard. 
22 The Uses of the Imagination in Scientific Investigation : — The Philosophical 

Oration. - - ------ Seth J. Axtell, Jr. 

23. The Ideal Man of Socrates: — The Classical Oration. - Charles T. Lazell. 
2*4. The True Glory of a College : — An Oration; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

John Tetlow, Jr. 

This will be remembered as the Commencement immediately 
succeeding the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of 
the founding of the University. President Sears's discourse upon 
this occasion, with an appendix and an account of the Centennial 
Dinner, was published by S. S. Rider & Brother. It makes an 
octavo volume of one hundred and seventy-eight pages. 



COMMENCEMENT EXEECISES. 425 

1865. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. . . . . Minor R. Deming. 

2. The Consecration of Hildebrand : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Charles H. Spaulding. 

3. The Rome of Juvenal : — An Oration of the First Class. Reuben M. Streeter. 

4. The Compensations of War : — An Oration of the First Class. Caleb E. Thayer. 

0. Instability of British Sentiment towards the United States: — An Oration of 

the First Class. Jared W. Finney. 

6. Specific Aims in Education : — An Oration of the First Class. George W. Gile. 

7. Napoleon's Life of Caesar : — An Oration of the Second Class. 

James K. Lawrence. 

8. The Condition of the British Miner : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Joseph W. Rees. 

9. The Saracens in Europe : — An Oration of the First Class. Oliver H. Arnold. 

10. The Novelist as a Teacher : — An Oration of the First Class. 

William D. U. Shearman. 

11. Training for Political Life : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Charles F. Easton. 

12. The Modern Spirit of Persecution : — An Oration of the First Class, 

Mark D. Shea. 

13. The Romantic Element in Early American History : — An Oration of the First 

Class. Joseph E. Spink. 

14. Greece — the Home of True Philosophy: — An Oration of the First Class. 

Richard M. Atwater, 

15. The Economy of Mental Growth : — An Oration of the First Class. 

William H. Williams. 

16. The Historic Preparations for Christianity : — An Oration of the First Class. 

George W. Shaw. 

17. American Influence in Europe : — An Oration of the First Class. Joseph Ward. 

18. The Prophetic Pledge of Unrealized Ideals : — An Oration of the First Class. 

Edward W. Pride. 

19. The Myth of Prometheus Vinetus : — The Classical Oration. Edward Judson. 

20. The Law of Self-Sacrifice : — An Oration ; with the Valedictory Addresses. 

Warren R. Perce. 

1866. 

1. The Salutatory Oration in Latin. . . _ . Arnold B. Chace. 

2. The Slow Development of Correct Political Principles. - Nelson N. Glazier. 

3. The Sentiment of Disgust. LaRoy F. Griffin. 

54 



426 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



4. The Secret of Popularity. Lorin M. Cook. 

5. The Influence of the New England Town-System on the Character and Condition 

of the American People. - - - - . - - George 0. King. 

6. Dies Irae. Reginald H. Howe. 

7. Literary Inconstancy. Alexander D. Chapin. 

8. The Influence of Ocean Life. John B. Mustin. 

9. The Evils of Living in Small Places. - - - James W. Blackwood. 

10. A Knowledge of Men — Essential to Success. - - Cyrus B. Peckham. 

11. The Socratic Method. John J. Archer. 

12. Heroic Doubt. William H. Spencer. 

13. The Attractiveness of Pantheism. John B. Peck. 

14. The Decline of British Political Influence. - - Herbert C. Bullard. 

15. The Influence of French Philosophy on American Institutions. 

Samuel H. Albro, 

16. Organic Development — The Universal Law. - - Preston Gurney. 

17. Unconscious Inheritances. Francis A. Gaskill. 

18. The Poet of "The Christian Year." - - - - Emery H. Porter. 

19. Dimly Seen Characters of History. ... Laban E. Warren. 

20. The Advantages of Liberal Culture to Non-Professional Men. Henry H. Earl. 

21. The Poetical Element of Philosophy : — The Philosophical Oration. 

Charles A. G. Thurston. 

22. Aristotle and Alexander — Teacher and Pupil: — The Classical Oration. 

Cornelius S. Sweetland, Jr. 

23. The Thought of the Future, — An Incentive to Effort : — An Oration; with the 

Valedictory Addresses. John B. G. Pidge. 




APPENDIX. 




RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT SEARS. 



HILE these sheets are passing through the press, we learn 
with heartfelt sorrow, that Dr. Sears has resigned the 
Presidency of the University, having been appointed the General 
Agent of the Board of Trustees of the Peabody Educational Fund. 
A special meeting of the Corporation, called to act upon his 
resignation and to choose a successor, was held on Wednesday, 
April 17, 1867. Forty-three members were present, constituting 
the largest meeting ever held. Of the Fellows who were absent, 
Mr. Alexander Duncan was in Europe, and the Hon. Isaac Davis, 
of Worcester, was detained at home in consequence of indisposi- 
tion. Three only of the Trustees were absent, viz. : the Hon. 
Edward Mellen, of Worcester^ Mr. Stephen A. Chase, of Salem, 
and Mr. Richard J. Arnold, who was in Georgia. The following 
account of the proceedings of this meeting, together with the 
resolutions adopted, we copy from the Providence Journal: — 

After President Sears retired, the Hon. James H. Duncan, the senior member of 
the Board of Fellows, took the chair. 

The resignation of President Sears having been accepted, the Hon. William S. 
Patten offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : — 



428 BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

Whereas, The Reverend Barnas Sears, President of the University, having been 
appointed Greneral Agent of the Board of Trustees of the Peabody Educational Fund 
for the benefit of the South and Southwestern States, recently instituted by George 
Peabody, Esq., which office requires entire devotion to its duties, and considering the 
magnitude and importance of its claims to be paramount, has tendered his resignation 
of the Presidency of this University, to. take effect on the day after the next succeeding 
Commencement, September 5th : — 

Eesolved, That the Corporation of Brown University accept the resignation of 
President Sears with the sincerest regret. 

Resolved, That while they release the President from the charge of this University 
with profound sorrow, they cannot but admit the preeminence of the claims involved 
in this new appointment, and of his qualifications to fulfill them. 

Resolved, That our experienbe of those qualifications during his twelve years 
administration of the Presidency, manifested by his piety, learning and suavity, by 
bis watchfulness over the interests of the University, his general ability and his great 
success, demands our commendation and receives our gratitude. 

Resolved, That we congratulate the Trustees of the Peabody Educational Fund, 
and its noble and munificent founder, that in initiating their grand design to disseminate 
universal knowledge and patriotism, they have secured so adequate an agent and 
coadjutor. 

Resolved, That this Corporation, rejoicing and sympathizing witb them, in that 
design, heartily bid them "God speed ; " and deeply as we feel the sacrifice we are 
called to make, we make it as our contribution to the same cause to which, on a scope 
less ample, our own "catholic, comprehensive and liberal Institution" has been conse- 
crated for more than a century, to wit, in the words and spirit of our Charter, that of 
"forming the rising generation to virtue, knowledge, and useful literature; and thus 
preserving in the community a succession of men duly qualified for discharging the 
offices of life with usefulness and reputation." 

Resolved, As a memorial of our affection and respect for President Sears, and of 
our interest in the great purpose which he is called from us to promote, that these 
resolutions be entered upon our records ; that a copy of them, signed by the Chancellor 
and Secretary of the University, be presented to him ; and that a similar copy be 
communicated to George Peabody, Esq. 

It was voted that a committee of three Fellows and five Trustees be appointed to 
report a nomination for President. This committee, after full deliberation, unani- 
mously reported the name of Martin B. Anderson, LL. D., President of Rochester 
University, New York. The vote was then taken, and resulted in the unanimous 
choice of Dr. Anderson. 



APPENDIX. 429 

Whereupon the Rev. Dr. Woods offered the following resolution : — 

Resolved, That Rev. Baron Stow, D. D., Rev. Edwards A. Park, D. D., and 

S. S. Bradford, Esq., with such other three persons, from the Trustees, as may be 
nominated by the Chancellor, be a committee to wait personally on the President 
elect, Dr. M. B. Anderson, and urgently solicit his acceptance of the Presidency of 
Brown University, to which he has been elected with entire unanimity, and that he be 
requested to enter upon the duties of his office September 5th, 1867. 

The President elect was born in Bath, Maine. He graduated 
at Waterville College, now Colby University, in 1840, and after 
having pursued, for a time, studies in divinity at Newton Theo- 
logical Institution, was elected to the Professorship of Rhetoric 
at Waterville, which of&ce he filled for seven years. He after- 
wards edited with marked ability the New York Recorder, the 
organ of the Baptist denomination at the time in the city of New 
York. In 1853, he was called to the Presidency of Rochester 
University, which office he has continued to fill, with rare ability 
and with remarkable success. Twenty-one years of his life have 
thus been devoted to the labors of collegiate education, so that 
he is eminently qualified by long experience, for the important 
office to which he has been so unanimously elected. . 

Before taking our leave of President Sears, we may be allowed 
to express the universal regret that is manifest at his resignation, 
especially on the part of his pupils, by whom he is everywhere 
regarded with almost filial love and veneration. In leaving an 
office which he has filled with such distinguished honor and 
usefulness for the past twelve years, it is pleasant to record the 
unanimity with which he has been appointed to a new and more 
important position by men of the highest eminence from all parts 
of the land, and to reflect that while the University, and the 
community around it, for the time being, lose by this sacrifice, 
the country at large gains. It is pleasant also to observe the 
cordial endorsement which this appointment receives from the 



430 BROWN TJNIVEESITY. 

PRESS. The Boston Transcript, in illustration, thus happily 
remarks: — 

Thus by a combination of sagacity and good fortune on the part of those having 
the management of the fund, the right man has been found for the right place. Dr. 
Sears, indeed, unites qualities for the position which, rare in their separate excellence, 
are rarer still in their harmonious combination. He is a scholar of large accomplish- 
ments and vigorous talents, and at the same time a master of the practical methods of 
education. One of the most indefatigable of students, he has none of the bigotry, 
pedantry and exclusiveness which sometimes accompany exceptional acquirements, but 
possesses his learning instead of being possessed by it. As Secretary of the Massa- 
chusetts Board of Education, he amply proved bis capacity to comprehend the wants 
of the common school system, and as President of Brown University he has shown no 
less facility in directing the studies of a college. A man of the highest moral and 
religious character, keen in the perception and resolute in the performance of duty, 
honest, manly and intrepid, he is still so dispassionate and unostentatious in his 
conscientiousness, and so simply bent on addressing the intellect and moral sense of 
those he desires to influence, that he never stings their passions into opposition to his 
teachings, nor rouses their willfulness to resist the reception of his views. He has, in 
short, all the reality of force, without any of its arrogance. 




INDEX OF BENEFACTOES. 




OTE. The following is simply an index of the names of 
those persons, whose benefactions are recorded upon the 
pages of our work. For the "Commencement Exercises" no 
index is required, the triennial catalogue giving the names of all 
graduates of the College, with the year of their graduation. 
The necessity for a general index of subjects is obviated by the 
full table of contents at the beginning, and by the peculiar 
arrangement of the book. 



Abell, Joseph, 
Abokn, Benjamin, 
Aboe,n, Burrows, 
Aborn, Samuel, 
Abram, John, 
Adams, Martha, 
Adams, Seth, 
Adams, Seth, Jr, 



94, 



Adams & Lothrop 
Adie, Alexander, 
Adie, a. F. 
Adlam, Thomas, 
Agitt, Joseph, 
AicKiN, James, 
AiGOiN, David, 
AiGOiN, Miss, 
Alexander, Robert, 
Allard, Thomas 
Allen, Benjamin, 



154 

273 
257 
258 
224 
158 
258 
273, 301 
326, 335 
257 
258 
328 
160 
154 
154 
155 
155 
156 
160 
240 



Allen, Bradford, 328 

Allen, Crawford, 328 

Allen, John, of Dublin, 155 
Allen, John, of London, 159 
Allen, Paul, 239 

Allen, Philip, 258, 326 

Allen, Philip, Jr. 102, 326 
Allen, Philip & Son, 273, 289 
Allen, Samuel, 160 

Allen, Samuel P. 258 

Allen, Stephen G. 333 

Allen, Zachariah, 273, 326 
Allin, Francis, 154 

Almy, Benjamin R. 327 

Almy, WiUiam, 258 

Ames, Asa, 257, 258 

Ames, Ellis, 328 

Ames, James B. 328 

Ames, Samuel, 257 

Andrews, Benjamin, 222 



Andrews, James, 239 

Andrews, Zephaniah, 240 
Angele, Francis M. 222 

Angele, Philip M. 222 

Angell, Abraham, 240 

Angell, Charles, 240 

Angell, Nathan, 239 

Anthony, Henry, 327, 335 
Anthony, Henry B. 274, 334 
Anthony, Hezekiah, 327 

Aplin, John, 240 

Aprleton, Nathan, 327 

Appleton, Samuel, 327 

Appleton, William, 94, 327 
Armstrong, John, 155 

Armstrong, Robert, 155 

Armstrong, Samuel T. 155 
Arnold, Christopher, 239 
Arnold, Frances R. 86, 94, 311 
Arnold, James, 85, 240, 326 



432 



BROWN UNIVERSITY. 



Arnold, James, Jr. 240 

Arnold, Jonatlian, 239 

Arnold, Joseph., 239 

Arnold, Nathan, 239 

Arnold, Richard J. 

86, 273, 327 
Arnold, Salmon, 257 

Arnold, Samuel Q. 80, 267 
Arnold, Samuel G. 

94, 326, 332 
Arnold, Thomas, 257 

Arnold, "Welcome, 239 

AsHTON, Thomas, 157 

Atchison, John, 166 

Atkins, Charles, 222 

Atkinson, John, 156 

Atwell, Ichabod, 221 

Atwell, Moses M. 268 

AxsoN, William, 223 

Babbitt, Jacob, 328 

Babcock, Joshua, 318 

Babcock & Moss, 327 

Bacon, Elijah, 239 

Backus, Isaac, 77, 319, 337 
Baddeley, Susanna, 223 

Bagnal, Timothy, 156 

Bagnal, Timothy, Jr. 156 
Bailet, William M. 335 

Balch, Joseph, Jr. 274 

Balch, J. P. & Son, 280, 335 
Baldwin, Thomas, 76 

Ball, Judith, 221 

Ballantine, Susanna, 222 
Ballou, C. a. 274 

Banett, Jobn, 159 

Banister, J. 159 

Barclay, D. & J. 168 

Barker, Peleg, 319 

Barlow, Robert, 158 

Barnes, David L. 258 

Barkow, John, 155 

Barry, James, 240 

Barstow, Amos C. 327, 335 
Barstow, John, 86, 273, 327 
Bartlett, John R. 285-294 
Bartol, Elizabeth H. 81 

Babtol, George M. 328 

Barton, Charles, 159 

Baskerville, George, 158 
Batchellor, Richard, 161 
Batty, John, 239 

Baylies, William, 

86, 94, 327, 337 
Beal, John, 222 

Beal, Othniel, 221 

Beale, Caleb, 154 

Beale, Samuel, 154 

Beath, William, 166 



222 
156 
156 
156 



Beckman, Nicholas, 158 

Beckwith, Truman, 273, 336 

Bedgegood, Nicholas, 223 

Bee, William, 

Bell, Charles, 

Bell, Henry, 

Bell, John, 

Bell, Thomas, of Antrim, 156 

Bell, Thomas, of London, 158 

Belknap, Abraham, 239 

Belknap, Jacob, 239 

Belknap, Jeremy, 73 

Bellamy, Clement, 158 

Benn, Elizabeth, 155 

Bennet, Job, 238, 318, 319 

Bennet, Thomas, 240 

Benson, George, 76 

Bewfey, Nehemiah, 161 

Bible, Thomas, of Cork, 154 

Bible, Thomas, of Dublin, 155 

Billings, Ethelbert R. 293 

Binney, Amos, 

Bird, Francis W. 

Bishop, Nathan, 

Blackley, John, 

Blake, Ezekiel, 

Blake, M. 

Blake, WiUiam, 

Bland, Lancelot, 

Bland, Richard, 

Blight, Caleb, 

Blodget, William, 

Blood, Caleb, 

BoLLEs, James G. 

BoLLES, Lucius, 

BoLLES, Matthew, 

Bond, Thomas, 

Boon, Benjamin, 

BooROM, Isaac, 

Booth, James, 

Booth, Thos., of Dublin, 155 

Booth, Thomas, of West- 

meath, 157 

Borden, Jefferson, 332, 333 
BoswooD, Samuel, 
BoswoRTH, Alfred, 
BOSWORTH, A. & S. 
Bosworth, Lewis, 
BouLTON, William, 

BOWDLEAR, S. G. 

BowEN, Ephraim, 
BowLN, Jabez, Jr. 
Bow EN, John, 
BowEN, Oliver, 
BowEN, TuUy D. 
BowEN, WiUiam, 
Bowers, John, 
Bowles, Carrington 



328 
327 
156 
334 
160 
327 
222 
222 
160 
267 
322 
332 
80, 86, 268 
334 
165 
161 
267 
155 



222 
328 
258 
240 
155 
334 
257 
239 
85 
241 
327, 334 
258 
257 
169 



Bowles, John, 168 

Box, Philip, 222 

BoYCE, James P. 327 

Boyd, John, 221 

Brabing, Elizabeth, 155 
Bradley, Charles S. 94, 327 

Bradford, S. S. 311 

Bdadford, Solomon, 240 

BrAILSFORD & MUNCREEFF, 

221 

Branch, Sanford, 257 

Branford, Ezekiel, 222 

Brayton, Isaac, 239 

Brennon, James, 157 

Bridgham, Samuel W. 

86, 268, 273 
Brimblb, John, 160 

Brine, Mary, 159 

Brisbane, James, 222 

Bristol Education Society, 
71, 72 
Brittain, William, 159 

Brock, Benjamin, 160 

Brocks, Samuel, 319 

Brooks, B. F. 334 

Brooks, Mrs. S. E. 313 

Brown, Avis, 75 

Brown, Benjamin P. 334 

Brown, Chad, 240 

Be OWN, Dexter, 240 

Brown, Elizabeth, 164 

Brown, Elizabeth & Rebecca, 
160 
Brown, George, 239 

Brown, Gideon, 240 

Brown, Isaac, 274, 327 

Brown, James, 86, 257 

Brown, Jeremiah, 240 

Brown, John, 68, 240, 242 
320, 336 
Brown, John, of Bristol, 160 
Brown, J., of Canterbury, 161 
Brown, J., of Waterford, 154 
Brown, John Carter, 45, 80 
91, 92, 94, 95-98, 101, 102 
268, 270, 276, 280, 286, 288 
292, 300-302, 326, 332 
Brown & Ives, 80, 258, 286 
Brown, Joseph, 222, 240 

Brown, Mary, 238 

Brown, Molly, 239 

Brown, Moses, 69, 240 

Brown, Nicholas, 

240, 276,318 

Brown, Hon. Nicholas, 26, 27 

46, 47, 74, 76, 85, 87, 257 

261-270, 273, 300-302, 308- 

310, 323, 328, 336, 337, 338 



INDEX OF BENEFACTORS. 



433 



Brown, Obadiah, 258 

Bkown, Phineas, 239 

Brown, Eichard, 240 

Brown, Sarah, 159 

Brown, Thomas, 328 

Brown, William, 240 

Bryan, Guy, 159 

Bryan, Jonathan, 222 

Bryant, Caleb, 160 

Bryson, James, 155 

BucKLAND, Mary, 160 
Bucknell, Margaret C. 312 

Buckley, Charles, 158 

Bull, Frederick, 158 

Bull, Isaac M. 326 

Bull, J. & F. 159 

Bull, Thomas, 222 

Bull, William, 221 

BuLLiNE, John, 222 

BuLLiNE, William, 222 

BuLLioTT, Mr. 221 
Bullock, Israel, ' 268 
Bullock, Julia, 280, 292, 326 
Bullock, Richmond, 257 
Bullock, William P. 274, 326 

BuRCH, Joseph, 158 

Burden, Francis, 156 

Burdock, Sarah, 160 
BuRGES, Tristam, 80, 258 
BuRGES, Walter S. 274, 327 

Burgess, Ebenezer, 86 

BuRGESsi J. D. 328 
Burgess, Thomas, 

86, 94, 273, 327 
Burgess, Thomas M. 273 

Burhloe, Richard, 222 
BuRNsiDE, Ambrose E. 

292, 334 

BuRNSiDE Rifle Co. 292 

BuRNSiDE, John, 159 

BuRRiLL, James, 240 

BuRRiLL, James, Jr. 258 

BuRROuGH, James, 240 

Burrows, William, 221 

BUSHELL, S. 155 

Butler, Elizabeth, 158 

Butler, Henry, 292 

Butler, Joseph, 161 

Butler, Samuel, 240 

Cahael, James, 159 

Caldwell, S. A. 334 
Caldwell, William, 156 

Cambridge, Peter, 154 

Canty, John, 223 

Carely, John, 160 
Carey Av. Bap. Church, 334 

Cargill, Magnus, 223 

Carlton, Francis, 154 

55 



Carlile, John, 
Carlile, John S. 
Carlile, Thomas, 
Carlton, George, 
Carlton, Mr. 
Carpenter, Joseph, 
Carpenter, Lydia, 314- 
Carpenter, Thomas F. 

86, 
Carrington, Edward, 80, 
Carter, John, 
Carver, Robert, 
Caswell, Alexis, 86, 273, 
Cattle, Robert & Sarah, 
Chace, George I. 86, 273, 
Champe, Bean, 
Champion, J. 
Champion & Dickason, 
Chandle, B. 
Chandler, Benjamin T. 
Chandler, Isaac, 
Chapin, Amory, 94, 

Chapin, Henrj', 
Chapin, John F. 280, 
Chapin, Josiah. 273, 

Chapin, Royal, 
Chapin, W. & G. 
Chase, Hezekiah S. 

311, 327, 
Chase, J. G. 
Cherry', David, 
Chickley, William, 
Child, John T. 
Childs, Charles H. 
Chilson, Gardner, 
Chisnut, John, 
Chrisholme, John, 
Church, William, 
Church of Ashford, 
Church of Folkstone, 
Church of Hythe, 
Church of Smardin, 
Churches of Providence, 
103- 
Clarke, John, 
Clarke, Nicholas, 
Clarke, Robert, 
Clarke, T. P. 
Clarke, William, 
Clarke & Nightingale, 
Clarkson, William, 
Class of 1821, 
Cleaveland, Ira, 
Clifford, Benjamin, 
Clifford, John H. 
Clunie, Alexander, 
Coates, Benjamin, 
CoATES, William, 



258 
257 
77 
327 
159 
327 
316 

274 
326 
75 
238 
327 
222 
327 
155 
159 
158 
160 
258 
222 
273 
328 
334 
327 
327 
327 

334 
334 
160 
239 
258 
328 
334 
223 
222 
257 
161 
161 
161 
161 

104 
161 
239 
221 
258 
158 
239 
221 
103 
328 
257 
86 
159 
240 
155 



Cobb, Martin, 223 

Cobb, Nathaniel R. 85 

CoDD, John, 157 

Coffin, Timothy G. 86 
Colby, Gardner, 311, 332, 333 

Colby, H. G. 0. 86 

Cole, Andrew, 240 

Cole, John, 160 

Colgate, George, 86 

Colgate, William, 86 

Collier, Richard, 240 

Collins, Francis, 160 

Coleman, Robert, 160 

Coles, Thomas, 268 

CoLviN, Stephen, 240 

Combes, Mr. 169 

CoMSTOCK, Jesse, 258 

CoNDER, John, 158 

Cone, Spencer H. 86 

CoNGDON, Gilbert, 328 

(Connor, Rachel, 155 

Converse, Benjamin B. 334 
Converse, James W. 327, 334 

Converse, Joseph H. 334 

Cooke, George, 221 

Cooke, James W. 328 

Cooke, Nicholas, 239 

Coon, Elizabeth, 221 

Cooper, John, 159 

Cords, Samuel, 221 

Corliss, John, 257 

Cornish, Edward, 161 

Cornwall, Alexander, 167 

Cornwall, John, 157 

Cottle, Robert, 160 

CowLES, William, 160 

Cox, Leader, 159 

Cox, Manuel, 223 

Cox, Thomas, 159 

Coy, Samuel, 240 

CozzENS, Benjamin W. 94 

Cranston, Robert B. 328 

Crawley, T. 159 

Creighton, Joseph, 223 

Creighton, William, 221 
Crocker, Nathan B. 109, 258 

Crocker, Samuel L. 86 

Crocker, William A. 86 

Crocker & Brothers, 326 

Cromwell, Oliver, 221 

Crosby, William B. 86 

Cross, Ann, 161 

Cross, William J. 327 

Crouch, Charles, 221 

Crowly, Humphry, 154 

Cummings, George, 326 

CusHiNG, Benjamin, 240 

Gushing, D. C. 258 



434 



BEOWN UNTVEESITY, 



Gushing, T. P. 827 

Cdthbert, James, 222 

CuTTiNS, William, 222 

Daniel, Edward, 160 

Dansford, Samuel, 160 

Darby, George, 158 

Davies, John, 228 

Davis, Evan, 159 
Davis, Isaac, 86, 94, 311, 326 
332, 383 
Davis, Isaac, of Boston, 87 

Davis, John, 159 

Davis, John C. 334 

Davis, Trudtnce, 158 

Davis, Samuel, 333 

Dawson, Ihomas, 161 

Day, Albert, 312 

Deane, John R. 334 

Deaves, James, 157 

Dempsey, Edward, 221 

Dendy, Stephen, 158 

Dennis, John, 154 

Devall, Stephen, 221 

Devereaux, James, 222 

Devrodx, John, 154 

Uevvett, Charles, 223 

Dewett, William, 222 

Dewitt, Alexander, 327 

Dewitt, William, 228 

DeWolf, James E. 328 

De Wolf, John, 80 

DeWolf, William B. 328 

Dexter, Edward, 258 

Dexter, Kriight, 239 

Dexter, Samuel, 258 

Dexter Stephen, 258 

Dickey, John, 222 

Dike, A. B. 327 

Dillon, Hugh, 223 

DiMAN, Byron, 327 

Dixon, Phil. 157 

Dixon, William, 154 

Dobbin, William, 154 

Dodge, Nehemiah, 257 
Dorr, Sullivan, 80, 86, 257 

DoRRANCB, John, 258 
DoRRANCE, William T. 

86, 94, 274, 327, 335 

Douglas, William, 328 

Dow, William E. 328 

Down, James, 155 

Dozer, James, 223 

DiiENNAN, Thomas, 155 
Drowne, Christopher R. 292 

Drowne, George R. 292 

Drowne, Henry B. 292 

Drowne, Henry T. 292 

Drowne, Thomas S. 292 

Duncan, Alexander, 326 



Duncan, James, 156 

Duncan, James H. 273, 311 
Dunn, James, 155 

Dunnell, Jacob, 332, 335 
Dunnell, Jacob & Co. 326 
Dunnell, Thomas L. 94 

DwiGHT, Gamaliel L. 274 
DwiGHT, Capt. Gamaliel L. 

812 
DwYER, Matthew O. 154 

Dyer, Benjamin and Charles, 

257 
Dyer, Elisha, 86, 274, 289 
292, 335 

257 



Earl, Caleb, 
Earle, George, 
i"'Ai!LE, Henry, 
Earle, Oliver, 
Earle, Wd'iam, 
Earle & Branch, 
Easton, Nieholas, 
Edes, Henry, 
Eddy, Ezek, 
Eddy, Moses, 
P'ddy, Richard, 
Eddy, Samuel, 
Eddy, Zachariah, 
Edmunds, Gt- orge D. 
Edwards, Abel, 
Kdwards, E. 
Edwards, James, 
Edwards, John, 
Edwards, Morgan, 
Edwards, Sjimuel, 
Edwards, Thomas, 
Edwards, William, 
Edwards, William, of Bristol, 
160 
j Edye, John, 
Elam, Samuel, 
Eldridge, Mr. 
Elliott, Barnard, 
Elliott, John, 
Elliott, Lemuel H 
Ellis, James, 
Elton, Romeo, 
Emerson, James, 
Emerson, William, 
Emly, Jiev. Mr. 
Eustace, Thomas, 
Evans, Caleb, 
Evans, Hugh, 
Evans, Thomas 



258 
274 
258 
239 
258 
319 
258 
238 
257 
240 
257 
86 
334 
223 
154 
154 
159 
147-171 
155 
223 
221 



160 
275 1 
159 I 
221 
154 i 
274 i 
154, 
812' 
154 
154 
221 i 
221 : 
71, 159 
159 
223 



Evans, Thos., oi' Bristol, 160 



Evans, Thomas E. 
Eveleigh, George, 
Kverard, John, 
Eykes, Thomas, 
Eairbrother, Mrs. 



334 
154 
159 
241 
312 



Fairly, John, 156 

Fairly, Robert, 156 
Fales, Lothrop & Co. 327 

Fales, William, 328 

Falkiner, Riggs, 154 

Farley, Sarah, 160 

Farnum, John, 327 

Farwell, Levi, 86 

Farr, Thomas, 221 

Fawcett, John, 155 
E'awconer, Ehzabeth, 159 

Fearing, Joseph W. 327 

Fearing & Hall, 327 

Fehrman, Gerard, 154 

Fennek, John, 239 

Ferguson, E>ederic, 156 

Ferguson, Susanna, 156 

Field Barnum, 328 

Field, James, 239 

Field John, 238 

Finch, Benjamin, 327 
E'iRST Baptist Church, 287 

E'isher, John I). 86 

Fitch, William, 223 

Fitch, William, Jr. 223 

Fitz, E. C. 334 

E^letcher, E. W. 327 
Fletcher, Richard, 86, 327 

E^LETCHER, Thomas, 828 

Flight, John, 158 

EYiGHT, Joseph, 158 

E'light, Thomas, 158 

Flight, Mrs. 158 

E'light, Miss, 158 

Flight, Mr. 158 

Foot, V/illiam, 159 

i-ORD, D. S. 334 

Forsitt, Benjamin, 159 

E'osTER, Benjamin, ' 73 
Foster, Samuel, 94, 335 

Foster, William, 94 

Eothekgill, John, 158 

E'ouECK, Thomas, 157 

E'"owke, Joseph, 154 

E"ox, Joseph, 77 

Fox, Mary, "161 

Fox, Samuel, 161 

Francis, John, 73 
Francis, John B. 86, 827 

E'rancis, John W. 86 

E'^rampton, William, 160 

Franklin, Benjamin, 158 
Franklin, Henry P. 258, 274 

Franklin Society, 81 

Freeman, Joseph, 161 

French, William S. 328 

E'rewen, Thomas, 161 

E''rieze, Henry S. 328 

Frink, Samuel, 222 



INDEX OF BENEFACTOES. 



335 



Fritton, John, 240 

FuLLAETON, John, 221 

Fuller, Abraham, 154 

Fuller, Joseph, 161 

Fuller, Major, 221 

Fuller, Nathaniel, 223 

Fuller, Oliver, 239 

Fury, John, 155 

Gadsen, Christopher, 221 

Gair, Thomas, 822 

Gallup, A. S. 335 

Galt, John, 15H 

Galt, William, 156 

Gammell, Asa M. 328 
Gammell, William, 274, 327 
Gano, John, 241, 317, 319 

Gardner, Johnson, 328 

Garner, Nathaniel, 155 

Garner, Thomas, 155 

Garnsay, William, 160 
General Assembly, 303-307 

Gibbon, Rebecka, 155 

Gibbons, Thomas, 158 

Gibbons, William, 222 

GiBBS, John, 240 

Gibson, George, 155 

Gibson, Gideon, 224 

Gibson, William, 155 

GiFFORD, Andrew, 158 

Gilbert, Timothy, 87 

Gill, John, 66, 158, 336 

GiLMORE, John, 156 

Gladding, Timotliy, 239 

Glenny, George, 156 

Glezen, E. K. 335 

Glover, Henry R. 334 
GoDDARD, Charlotte R. 

83, 289, 292, 326 

GODDARD, T. P. 1. 292 

GoDDARD, William, 292 
GoDDARD, William G. 

86, 273, 835 

Godfrey, Richard, 240 

Goodman, James, 155 

Goodwin, George C. 334 

GouGH, ISamuel, 155 

GovvRLAY, John, 222 

Grace, Lawrence, 156 

Grace, William, 159 

Graeme, David, 221 

Granger, Ann B. 313 
Granger, James N. 104, 327 

Granger, Mr. 158 

Grant, Luke, 154 

Graves, John, 66 

Grayson, Anthony, 155 

Great Britain, 81 

Greggs & Cunningham, 155 

Gregory, John, 222 



86, 



Gkeen, Cornelia E. 
Green, John, 
Green, Joseph, 
Green, Samuel, 
Greene, Caleb, 
Greene & Carter, 
Greene, James,' 
Greene, Nathanael, 
Greene, Uicliard W. 
Greene, Simon H. 
Greene, Thomas, 
Greene, Timothy R. 
Griggs, Thomas, 
Grimball, Charles, 
Grimball, William, 
Grimes, Joseph, 
Grinnell, Peter, 
Grinnell, Peter & Sons, 
273, 
Grinnell, William T. 
Grosvenor, William, 
Groth, a. H. 
Griibb, William, 
GuERTz, Miss, 
Gully, William, 
Gutter, Francis, 
Guy, David, 
Habersham, James, 
Hacker, Joshua, 
Hadfield, Samuel, 
Haffield, Thomas, 
Hague, Jenkins, 
Hall, Edwin, 
Hall, Levi, 
Hallett, George W. 
Hallowell, George A. 
Halsey, Elizabeth, 
Halsey, Thomas L. 

80, 94, 257, 273, 
Hamill, James, 
Hamman, John, 
Hamman, Jonathan, 
Hammond, William, 
Hancock, Jacob, 
Hanna, John, 
Hardin, Eleazer & Son, 
Harford & Powell, 
Harmon, Joshua, 
Harrington, William, 
Harris, C. F. 
Harris, David, 
Harris, Edward, 
Harris, George, 
Harris, John, 
Harris, Thomas, 
Harrison, John, 
Harrison, Richard 
Hart, Arthur, 
Hart, Benjamin, 



827, 33 



312 
827 
160 
222 
239 
258 
240 
239 
273 
292 
239 
86 
834 
221 
222 
160 
257 

327 
86 
292 
160 
155 
159 
240 
221 
161 
221 
239 
156 
155 
161 
334 
240 
826 
257 
158 

327 
156 
158 
240 
154 
156 
834 
289 
158 
154 
154 
292 
289 
2 



160 
159 
240 
222 
160 
228 
223 



Hart, Oliver, 817 

Hartwell, John B. 382 

Harvey, David, 156 

Haslett, Charles, 156 
Hathaway, Elnathan P. 86 

Hattersley, John, 159 

Haughton, John. 155 

Hawes, William T. 86 

Hawkins, Edward, 289 
Hawksworth, a. R. 159 
Hazard, LP, R.G.&R. 327 
Hazard, Thomas R, 327 

Hazle, Wilham, 160 

Hazard, William, 222 

Heath, Job, 159 
Henderson, Anthony, 160 

Hewetson, Hester, 155 

Heyward, Daniel, 222 

HiciiS, George, 222 

Hidden, H. A. 335 
Higinbothom, Robert, 156 

Hill, John, 156 

Hill, Nathaniel P. 280 

Hill, Robert, 159 

Hill, Samuel, 86 

Hill, Thomas J. 327 

HiLLis, Timothy, 158 

Hinds, James, 222 

Hinds, Patrick, 221 

HiNCKS, Edward, 155 

Hitchcock, Enos, 73 

HtTCHcocK, John, 224 

KoDSDEN, John, 221 

Hogg, William, 156 

HoLDEN, Jonathan, 240 

HoLFORD, Thomas, 159 

HoLLis, Isaac, 159 

HoLLis, Thomas, 158 

HoLMANY, John, 884 

Holmes, George B. 327 

Holmes, John, 160 

Holmes, Joseph, 87 

Holmes, Rebekah, 221 
HoLKOYD, William, 257, 322 

Homer, Jonathan, 81 

Hood, John, 156 

HooPE, Thomas, 156 

Hopkins, John B. 289 

Hopkins, Ruius, 240 
HoppiN, Benjamin, 86, 257 
273, 289, 327 

HoppiN, George W. 258 

HoppiN, John, 239 
HoppiN, Thomas C. 258, 274 

HoppiN, Thomas F. 292 

HoRTON, Amos, 240 
Howard, Ezra W. 274, 327 

Howard, Joseph, 223 

Howard, Robert, 161 



436 



BEOWN UNIVERSITY. 



HowABTH, Robert, 221 

Howe, Mark A. D. 86, 328 
Howell, Nicholas, 154 

HowLAND, George, 326, 332 
HowLDY, Elizabeth, 160 

HoYLE, James, 239 

HoYT, Edwin, 327 

Hughes, John L. 274 

HuMSTON, Hugh, 159 

Hunt, George, 328 

Hunt, Samuel, 94 

Hunt, William, 155 

Hunter, Henry, 223 

Hunter, John, 156 

HusLET, Mrs. 159 

HuTCHiNS, Shubael, 327 

Hutchinson, Matthias, 221 
Ingraham, Samuel, 239 

Ives, Anne Allen, 83 

Ives, Harriet B. 83 

Ives, Hope, 73, 83, 273, 326 
Ives, Moses B. 80, 85, 99 

100, 268, 273, 288, 323, 326 
331, 335 
Ives, Robert H. 80, 85, 268 
273, 276, 280, 288, 292, 312 

326, 331, 333, 335 
Ives, Thomas P. 80, 85, 94 
257, 276, 326 
Ives, Capt. Thomas P. 

280, 292, 312, 332 
Jacobs, Hiram, 87 

Jacobs, Wilson, 238 

Jackson, Daniel, 239 

Jackson, George, 257 

Jackson, Henry, 335, 336 
Jackson, Richard, Jr. 257 
Jackson, R. 158 

Jackson, Ward, 86 

Jackson, William, 155 

Jaferay, Robert, 155 

James, Benjamin, 223 

James, Charles T. 327 

James, Howell, 223 

James, Sarat, 222 

James, Thomas, 223 

James, William, 223 

Jeffries, Benjamin, 160 

Jeffries, Ebenezer, 160 

Jeffries, Edward, 158 

Jeffries, John, 87 

Jeffries, Joseph, 158, 160 
Jemmett, Isaac, 159 

Jenckes, Christopher, 240 
Jenckes, Henry, 240 

Jenckes, John, 238, 240 

Jenckes, Doct. John, 238 
Jenckes, Jonathan, Jr. 238 



Jenckes, Thomas A. 

292, 328, 335 
Jenkins, John, 222, 240 

Jenkins, Joseph, 158 

Jenkins, Moses B, 292, 327 
Jerman, Peter, 161 

Johnson, Dominick, 222 

Johnson, James, 221 

Johnson, William, 160 

Jolleff, Dorcas. 160 

Jones, Alexander, 257 

Jones, Ann, 160 

Jones. Daniel, 154 

Jones, David, 160 

Jones, Jenkin, 158 

Jones, John B. 85 

Jones, Noble W. 222 

Jones, Thomas, 154, 222 

Jones, William, 257 

Joseph, Israel, 221 

Keach, W. W. 328 

Keen, Robert, 158 

Keene, Henry, 159 

Keith, George, 158 

Kelly, J. W. & Co. 86 

Kelly, Mrs. Luke, 155 

Kendall, Charles S. 333 

Kendall, Henry L. 327 

Kendall, H. R. 327 

Kent, Henry P. 312 

Kershaw, Ely, 222 

Kershaw, Joseph, 223 

KiLLiNGwoRTH, Grantham, 

158 
Kimball, Amos, 240 

KiMBORouGH, John, 223 

King, Abraham, 159 

King, Benjamin, 160 

King, Charles, 289 

King, Charles B. 288 

King, Edward, 327 

King, George G. 327 

King, Josiah, 240 

King, Thomas, 155 

KiNGSBUKY, John, 86, 274, 327 
KiNLOCK, Mrs. 221 

KiNNicuTT, Thomas, 86, 328 
KiRKLAND, Joseph, 223 

KiRKPATRicK, James, 160 
Kitchen, Thomas, 159 

Knap, Seth, 240 

Knight, Jabez C. 292, 332 
Knight, Nehemiah, 328 

Knight, Richard, 238 

Knightly, Jane, 159 

Knowland, Mrs. 156 

Knox, John, 156 

Kyle, Arthur, 156 



Ladson, I. 222 

Lahoe, John De, 221 

Lamboll, Thomas, 221 

Lane, Abraham, 154 

Lane, Samuel & Eraser, 158 

Lang, James, 155 

Langton, David, 158 

Larned, Daniel, 239 

Earned, Samuel, 273 

Latham, John, 159 

Laughton, John, 221 

Laurens, Henry, 221 

Lamb, Nathaniel, 154 

Lawrence, Abbott, 94 

Lawrence, Ale.x;ander, 156 

Lawrence, Amos, 327 

Lawrence, Samuel, 327 
Lawrence, Trimble & Co. 

327 

Lawton, George, 312 

Lawton, William, 154 

Lazarus, Michael, 221 

Legacies & Beuuests, 336 

Legare, Solomon, 222 

Leger & Co. ' 221 

Legg, Alexander, 156 

Leiky, Thomas, 156 

Leland, Ebenezer, 240 

Lemmon, John, 157 

Lemmon, Joseph, 156 

Lessens, Sarah, 221 

Lewis, John Clarke, 156 

Lewis, Michael, 157 

Lewis, Thomas, 160 

LiDE, Robert, 223 

LiDE, Thomas, 222 

Lincoln, Heman, 86 

LiNDO, Moses, 223 

Lindsey, Thos. & Benj. 239 

LippiTT, Christopher, 240 

Lippitt, Henry, 292 

LippiTT, H. & R. 328 
Lippitt, Moses, 257, 258 

Little, Mrs. C. C. 293 

Llewelyn, Thomas, 158 

LocKwooD, Moses B. 327 

Logan, William, 238 

LoNGFRAY, Mr. 322 

LoRiNG, Prudence, 328 

LoTHROP, Cyrus, 86 
Loud, Jacob H. 87, 328 

Love, Horace T. 331 

LovETT, James, 240 

Low, Charles, 258 

LowDELL, Stephen, 158 

Ludlow, Abraham, 169 

Ludlow, Mrs. James, 293 

Ludlow, Thomas, 159 



INDEX OF BENEFACTORS. 



437 



LuDi/Ow, William, 

LuNNELi/, William, 

Lyle, Hugh, 

Lyndon, Josias, 318, 

Lyon, John, 

Lyon, Merrick, 

Mabbs, J. 

Mace, William, 

Mack AY, Nathaniel, 

Mackintosh, Alexander, 

Mackintosh, John, 

Mackmerds, Mrs. 

Maclay, a. 

Macomber, Ichahod, 

Macten, William, 

Makepeace, George, 

Man, Samuel F. 

Manigault, Gahriel, 

Manigault, Peter, 

Mann, Benjamin, 

Mann, Ja^es, 

Mann, N. P., & Co. 

Mann, Peroival, 

Manning, James, 

Manning, Ro"bert, 
Manton, Amasa, 94, 273, 
Manton, Daniel, 
Manypenny, James, 
Mauuay, George, 
^Marchant, Henrj', 
Marcy, William L. 
Marrion, Joseph, 
Marsh, Booth & Co. 
Martin, James, 
Martin, Joseph, 
Martin, Joseph S. 
Martin, Silvanus G. 
Martin, Simeon, 
Martin, Wheeler, 
Mason, Amasa, 80 

Mason, Earl P. 47,280, 
311, 326, 333, 
Mason, James B. 
Mason, John H. 
Mason, John M. 
Mason, Joseph, 
Mason, Owen, 94, 

Mason, William H. 
Mathews, James, 
Maunder, Mary, 
Mauran, Joseph, 86, 274, 
Maxson, John, 318, 

Maxwell, Richard, 
Mayor, Mrs. 
McBuRNEY, Alexander, 
McCall, Charles, 
McCarthy, Francis, 
McCormick, Samuel, 

65h 



159 
159 
156 
319 
154 
328 
158 
158 
155 
222 
223 
158 



156 
239 
273 
221 
221 
239 
76 
334 
159 
319 
160 
326 
240 
155 
155 
94 
86 
223 
328 
155 
258 
258 
328 
258 
258 
, 86 
292 
334 
257 
328 
335 
159 
328 
258 
223 
160 
328 
319 
155 
159 
156 
223 
154 
156 



McDowell, Samuel, 156 

McGiLVERY, Lachlum, 222 

McGowAN, William, 155 

McGregor, Robert, 155 

M'Intire, a. 86 

McKachan, Alexander, 156 

McKean, William, 156 

McMaster, Mary, 155 

Meek, John, 156 

Meek, William, 156 

Merrill, J. Warren, 333 

Messer, Asa, 250 

Metcalf, Nathaniel, 248 
Metcalf, Theron, 81-83, 86 

Metcalf, Whiting, 328 

Middleton, Nicholas, 157 

Mildred & Roberts, 158 

Millar, William, 221 

Miller, Ann Eliza, 311 

Miller, Pardon, 328 

Mills, John, 158 

Mills, Stephen, 154 

Mitchell, William, 156 

Montgomery, Hugh, 328 

Montgomery, Robert, 155 

Moody, James, 156 

Moore, John, 159, 

Moore, Robert, 155 

Morgan, John, 160 

SIoRGAN, William, 223 

Morris, John, 222 

Morris, William, 240 

Mossman, James, 222 

MowRY, Elisha, 238 

Muggeridge, John, 159 

Mullett, Thomas, 70 

Murray, James, 159 

Murphy, Mary, 154 

Nash, Thomas, 158 

Neal, Jacob, 222 

Neale, Samuel, 154 

Needham, John, 159 

Newcomen, Thomas, 160 

Newell, William, 155 

Newenham, George, 154 

Newman, James, 160 

Newth, Mary, 154 

Newton, Henry, 156 

Newton, James, 159 

Nightingale, George C. 327 
Nightingale, Samuel, Jr. 239 

Nichols, Thomas, 159 

Nichols, William, 87 

Nicholson, Francis, 221 

Noble, Ann, 159 

Noble, Daniel, 158 

Noble, Mrs. 160 

Norhis, John, 328 



North, James, 157 

North, Thurgood, 157 

Norton, James, 160 
NoYEs, Samuel M. 328, 332 

Nun, Benjamin, 155 

Nun, Joseph, 155 

Oldfield, John, 327 

Olmstead, J. W. 334 

Olney, James, 239 

Olney, Jonathan & C. 239 

Olney, Nathaniel G. 258 

Orr, Gilbert, 155 

Osgood, Samuel, 103 

OsBURN, John, 154 

Otway, Grace, 157 

Overbury, Jane, 161 

Overbury, John, 161 

Overbury, Nathaniel, 161 

Ovlrbury, William, 161 

Owen, Ezekiel, 328 

Owen, George, 328 

Owen, Smith, 328 

Packard, Nathaniel, 240 
Padelford, Seth, 280, 292 
327, 335 

Page, Benjamin, 155 

Page, George W. 257 
Page, John, 159, 160 

Page, Miss, 159 

Paine, Daniel, 327 

Paine. Walter, 258 

Parker, John A. 326 

Parks, William, 154 

Parmenter, Benjamin, 222 

Parmenter, Isaac, 222 

Parmenter, John, 222 

Parmenter, Philimon, 222 

Parslow, John, 160 

Parsons, Usher, 335 

Parsons, IJ. & C. W. 328 

Patrick, Alexander, 156 

Patten, William, 258 

Patten, William S. 87 

Payton & Hawkins, 328 

Peabody, Ephraim, 239 

Pearce, Benoni, 238 

Pearce, Edward, 327 

Pearce, Nathaniel, 258 

Pearce, William, 240 

Pearson, James, 158 

Pease, Simon, 319 

Peck, Allen, 240 

Peck, Allen O. 274 

Peck, John, 239 

Peck, Solomon, 86 

Peckham, Sam'l W. 274, 328 

Pegues, Claudius, 222 

Pegues, William, 222 



438 



BROWN U N I V E ]l S I T Y 



Pelot, Francis, 317 

Pendarvis, Josiali, 222 

Penn, Thomas, 158 

Perkin, Lewis, 223 

Perronneau, Alexander, 221 
Perry, Abel, 239 

Perry, Ann, 158 

Perry, Joseph, 158 

Perry, Joseph, Jr. 158 

Pervear, G. R. & H. A. 334 
Petty, John, 239 

Pewtress, Thomas, 158 

Phillips, James, 221 

Philophysian Society, 81 
Piety, Thomas, 161 

Pike, Benjamin, 154 

Pike, Ebenezer, 154 

Pike, Jonathan, 327 

PiLsON, Susanna, 154 

Pitcher, John, 239 

Pitman, Isaac, 258 

Pitman, John, 86 

Platek, Thomas, 161 

Plater, William, 161 

Pledger, Philip, 222 

Plimpton, Robert, 159 

Poinsett, Elisha, 221 

Pollock, James, 156 

Pollock, John, 156 

PoMEROY, Bartholomew, 158 
Pond, Joseph A. 334 

Pond, Moses, 86 

Poole, Mary, 160 

Pope, Joseph, 160 

Pope, Richard, 154 

Pope, Thomas, 160 

Porter, Josiah, 154 

Potter, Charles, 86, 327 

Potter, E. R.& J. B.M. 327 
Potter, William H. 327 

Potts, John, 158 

Pouney, Anthony, 223 

Power, Nicholas, 238, 240, 268 
Powell, Samuel, 155 

Pratt, Horatio, 86 

Pratt, John C. 334 

Pratt, Peter, 86, 273 

Presbyterian Churches, 

155, 156 



Price, Hopkin, 


221 


Price, Thomas, 


154 


Prince, John, 


75 


Providence Journal, 


327 


PuGH, Evan, 


223 


Purser, Thomas, 


86 


Quested, George, 


161 


Rae, John, 


222 


Raines, Richard, 


222 


Rains, James, 


154 



Ramsey, Hugh, 
Randall, George, 
Randall Job, 
Randall, Peter, 
Ransford, Edward, 
Ray, Isaac, 
Read, Thomas, 
Reeve, William, 
Reily, Charles, 
Reily, John, 
Remington, Joseph, 
Reynolds, William B. 
Reynolds, William H. 

47, 292, 295. 
Rhode Island, 303- 

RiiODES, Christopher, 
Rhodes, James, 80, 2t7, 
Rhodes, Jas.T. 292,327, 
Rhodes, William, 
Rice, Robert, 
Rich, Meredeth, 
Richard, Richard ap- 
RiCHARDS, James, 
Richards, Walter, 
Richards. Wm. 78-80, 
Richards, William C. 
Richardson, Thomas, 
Richmond, Sam'l N. 258, 
RiDOUT, Jeremiah, 
RiKY, Robert, 
RippoN, John, 
RiiTO, Peter. 
i\iVERs, Isaac, 
Rivers, John, 
Rivers, Thomas, Jr. 
Roach, Matthew, 
Robarts, Edward, 
RoBARTS, Joseph, 
RoBBiNS, Josiah, 
Roberts, John, 
Roberts, Natlianiel, 
Robinson, Luther, 
Roffey, Samuel, 
Rogers, Benjamin, 
Rogers, Daniel, 
Rogers, Eliza B. 311, 
Rogers, Eliza J. 
Rogers, Henry A. 274, 
Rogers, John, 
Rogers, Robert, 258, 

Rogers, Susanna, 
Rolt, John, 
Rooke, Archdale, 
Rose, Philip, 
Uoss, Isaac, 
Rust, Ricliard, 
RussEL, Samuel, 
RussEL, Mr. 
Russell, Charles, 



154 
154 

239 
240 
160 
328 
155 
159 
221 
155 
240 



333 
■307 
258 
273 
332 
157 
156 
222 
156 
221 
154 
337 
313 
326 
274 
159 
155 

75 
240 
222 
222 
222 
222 
158 
158 

87 
160 
161 
328 
158 
222 
157 
327 
293 
327 
257 
327 
160 
154 
161 
160 
223 
159 
223 
161 

86 



Russell, George R 
Russell, Jonathan, 
Russell, Joseph D, 
RuTT, Henry, 
Ryland, John, 
Sabin, James, 
Sabin, Thomas, 
Sackett. Davis & 



826 
257 

66 
159 
319 
240 
239 
Potter, 
328 

87 
159 
159 
155 
222 
223 
333 
240 
159 
158 
156 
241 
222 
156 
223 
221 
335 
258 



Sampson, Joseph, 
Sargeant, Joseph, 
Sargeant, Robert, 
Saurin, James, 
Savage, Daniel, 
Savage, John, 
Sawyer, Joseph, 
Sayles, Sylvan as, 

SCOFIELD, T. 

Scott, Alexander, 

Scott, George, 

Scott, Jeremiah, 

Scott, Thomas, 

Scott, William, 

Screven, John, 

Screven, Thomas, 

Seagrave, Jacob T. 

Seamans, Young, 

Searle, Nathaniel, 80, 258 

Searle, Nathaniel, Jr. 258 

, Sears, Banias, 310, 332, 333 

[ Sears, David, 327 

j Sessions, Thomas, 258 

j Sevier, Joseph, 160 

Shapland, Joseph, 160 

Sharp, Granville, 70 

Shaw, Francis ■■>■ 328 

I Shaw, Robert G. 326 

I Shaw, Quincy A. 328 

1 Shaw, Thomas, 156 

j Shearwood, j. 158 

i Sheldon, Christopher, 241 

j Shenstone, John, 159 

i Shepahd, Michael, 86,94,326 

i Shepard, Thomas, 280, 327 

I Shepard, Thomas & Co. 292 

I Shepard. Abraiiam, 160 

i Sherman, George J. 313 

j Sherman, Robert, 221 

Shipley, S. G. 328 

1 Shortt, James, 157 

\ Shortt, William, 157 

I Shurtleff, Benjamin, 86 

j Simon, Henry, 328 

■ Simon, Isaac, 155 

Simmons, James F. 274 

Simmons, Martin, 239 

Simmons & Co. 221 

Simpson, John K. 86 

Simpson, John K., Jr. 86 



INDEX OF BENEFACTORS. 



439 



Slater, Esther, 
Slater, Horatio N. 47, 94, 
280, 289, 311, 326, 332, 
Slater, Sarah J. 
Slater, William S. 47, 
Smith, Ann, 

Smith, Amos D. 288, 
Smith, A.D.&J. Y 280, 
Smith, Amos D. & Co. 
Smith, Henry, 
Smith, Hezekiah, 211, 

318, 319, 
Smith, J., of Barre, 
Smith, .James, 
Smith, James Y. 280, 

292, 311, 
Smith, Jehu, 
Smith, Job, 

Smith, John, 222, 

Smith, John, Jr. 
Smith, Joseph, 
Smith, Josiah, 
Smith, Samuel, 
-Smith, Simon, 
Smith, William, 
Snow, Lney, 
Snow, William, 
Soesman, Jacob, 
Spaulding, Edward, 
Spence, John, 
Spencer, William, 222, 
Spooner, Joshua, 
Sprague, a. & W. 

292, 326, 
Sprague, William, 94, 
Sprague, Wiiliani, 

47, 292, 333, 
Stakes, Nathaniel, 
Stead, Thomas J. 
Stead, William, 
Stelle, Benjamin, 
Stennett, Samuel, 67, 
Stephens, Daniel, 
Sterling, Henry, 
Stery, Robert, 
Stevens, John, 
Stevellt, Robert, 
Stewart, John, 
Stewart, Thomas, 
Stewart & Taylor, 
Stiles, Mrs. 
Stillman, Augustine, 
Stillman, Samuel, 
Stinton, Samuel, 
Stirk, Benjamin, 
Stirk, John, 
Stites, John, 
Stock, John, 
Stocker, Charles S. 



327 
273 
333 
273 
333 
161 
292 
327 
335 
222 
226 
322 
328 
158 
289 
327 
240 
239 
241 
239 
157 
223 
161 
239 
156 
328 
258 
257 
239 
86 
240 
238 

332 
273 

335 
155 
273 
158 
240 
158 
223 
240 
238 
158 
154 
155 
156 
239 
159 
223 
318 
158 
222 
222 
322 
159 
221 



Stokfs, Mary, 159 

Stoll, Justinus, 221 

Stone, William, 161 

Stone, William L. 86 

Stonehodse, Rev. Dr. 159 
Stopkins, John, 222 

Stout, Doctor, 221 

Stower, Caleb, 161 

Strapham, William, 159 

Strettell, Thomas, 154 

Strong, Richard, 160 

Stych, John, 160 

Subscriptions for the Col- 
lege, 387 
Sullivan, John, 86 
Sumter, Thomas, 223 
SwiNT, John, 223 
Taft, < yrus, 280, 335 
! Taft, E. P. 334 
I Taft, Orray, 327 
I Taft, Royal C. 280, 335 
Taft & Waterman, 258 
Talbot, Charles N. 327 
'J'albot, Ephraim, 257 
Tallm,vdge, James, 107,337 
~ ■ " 241 
70, 319 
223 
257 
334 
158, 257 
241 
239 
327 
257 
221 

328, 334 
159 



Tallman, Benjamin, 
Tanner, John, 
Tarrall, William 
Taylor, Gustavus 
Taylor, J. E. 
Taylor, William, 
Tew, Paul, 
Thayer, Abner, 
Thayer, John E. 
Thayer, William, 
Theus, Jeremiah, 
Thomas, Benjamin F 



Thomas, John, 
Thomas, Marv, 155 

Thomas & Martin, 328 

Thompson, Ebenezer, 240 
Thompson, James, 156 

Thompson, John, 156 

Thompson, Sally, 328 

Thompson, Thomas, 156 

Thomson, Ebenezer, 258 

Thomson, James, 156, 223 
Thomson, Robert, 223 

Thomson, Thomas, 257 

Thornton, Daniel, 239 

Thornton, John, 158 

Thresher, Ebenezer, 86 

Thurber, Charles, 312. 328 
Thurbeu, Isaac, 328 

1'hurber, Samuel 239 

Thurber & Cahoon, 239 
Thurston, Gardner, 318, 319 
Tiffany, Lyman, 273, 333 



Tillinghast, John, 318, 319 
Tillinghast, Joseph L. 86 
Tillinghast, P. 328 

Tillinghast, Stephen, 257 
Tillinghast, Thomas, 258 
TiNKHAM, H. N. 334 

Tobey, Samuel B. 

273, 327, 332 
Tompkins, Benjamin, 161 
Tompkins, William 161 

Toomeb, Henry, 222 

ToRRANS, Paug, & Co. 223 
ToRRENS, John, 156 

ToTTERDALE, Mrs. 160 

TouLMiN, Joshua, 160 

'I'owLE, Thomas, 158 

TowNSEND, Stephen, 221 

Trayer, Thomas R. 154 

Treadway, T. 1.59 

Tubes, Rebeckaii, 222 

Tucker, Thomas, 221 

Tuckerman, Edward, 86 

Tufts, Otis, 328 

Turner, David, 161 

Twining, Thomas, 160 

Tyndall, Samuel, 155 

United States, 245 

Upton, James, 333 

Urmeneta, Don Geronimo, 

108-109 
Valentine, William, 2-58 
Vance, Thomas, 155 

Vanhorn, William, 322 

Vaughan, Mr. 158 

Vere, James, 158 

ViCKERS, Jeremiah, 155 

ViCKERS, Thomas, 155 

Voysey, Jolm, 161 

Wade, Thomas, 222 

Walcutt, Abraham, 222 

Walker, Ephraim, 239 

Walker, John, 155 

Walker, Susanna, 221 

Wallace, Hans, 154 

Wallin, Benjamin, 

66, 322, 336 
Wane, Isaac, 158 

Wannell. Henry, 154 

Wanton, Joseph, 238, 318, 319 
Wanton, Joseph, Jr. 319 

Ward, Elizabeth, 86 

Ward, Hannah, 322, 336 

Ward, John, 86, 160 

Ward, Richard R. 86 

Ward, Samuel, 85, 319 

Ward, Samuel & Bro. 273 
Warley, Milchar, 221 

Warner & Tillinghast, 238 
Warring, Benjamin, 221 



440 



BE OWN UNIVERSITY. 



Warren, Charles H. 86 

Warren, George, 159 

Warren, Jonah Gr. 334 

Washbukn, Charles, 328 

Washburn, Henry S. 328 
Watchman & Reflector, 334 

Waterford, Samuel, 160 

Waterman, Andrew, 239 
Waterman, Elizaheth, 

274, 328 

Waterman, Benjamin, 239 

Waterman, John, 239 

Waterman, Nathan, 241 

Waterman, Resolved, 328 
Waterman, Richard, 273,327 

Waterman, Rufus, 335 

Waterman, Stephen, 328 

Waters, Ann E. 312 

Watkins, Lewis, 160 

Watkins, Nathaniel, 160 

Watson, Elisha, 328 
Watson, Matthew, 273, 327 

Watson, Thomas, 158 

Watt, James, 156 

Watts, Jonathan, 159 

Wavel, Henry, 161 
Wayland, Francis, 47, 85 

94, 273, 327 

Wayland, Hepsey S. 81 

Weare, William, 158 

Webb, Thomas H. 103 

Webb, Thomas S. 258 

Weeden, William B. 335 

Wells, John, 159 

Welling, Charles H. 328 

Welsh, James, 222 

Welton, Samuel, 160 

West, Benjamin, 158 

Westcott, John, 160 



Weston, Plowden, 222 

Weston, Thomas, 158 

Weymouth, Samuel, 160 
Weymouth, Master & Miss, 

160 

Whbaton, Comfort, 241 

Wheaton, Ephraim, 239 

Wheaton, James, 311 

Wheaton, Martha B. 293 

Wheaton, Samuel, 258 

Wheaton, William, 238, 239 

White, Richard, 155 

White, Shuma, 156 

White & Waterman, 239 

Whitehead, Thomas, 161 
Whipple, Benjamin, 239, 240 

Whipple, Daniel, 240 

Whipple, David, 241 

Whipple, Jeremiah, 241 

Whipple, John, 273 

Whipple, Oliver, 238 

Whipple, Otis, 241 

Whipple, Phehe, 311 

Whipple, Stephen, 239 

Whitman, Jacob, 240 

Whittuck, Charles, 160 

Whittuck, Joseph, 169 

Wiggins, Sarah, 159 

Wiggins, Thomas, 223 

j Wilder, Nahum, 241 

Wilkin s, William, 161 

Wilkinson, Abraham, 155 

Wilkinson, Anna, 157 

Wilkinson, Elizabeth, 158 

Wilkinson, George, 158 

Wilkinson, Mary, 155 

Wilkinson, Peter, 155 

Wilkinson, William, 75, 257 

Williams, Christopher, 239 



Williams, David, 221 

Williams, Henry, 159 

Williams, Jehu, 222 

Williams, John, 159 

Williams, Joshua, 160 

Williams, Richard, 161 

Williams, Samuel, 158 

Williams, S. 159 

Williams, Samuel K. 328 

Williams, Simon, 67 

Williams, Stephen, 158 

Williams, Thomas, 222 

Williamson, William, 156 

Wilson, David, 156 

Wilson, George, 155 

WiNSOR, x\braham, 240 

WiNSOR, Olney, 257 

WiNTHROP, John, 238 

WiNwooD, John, 160 

Wish, Benjamin, 221 

Witter, Matthew, 222 

WoLLASTON, John, 158 

Wood, Joshua B. 258 

Wood, Margaret, 333 

WooDROoF, Isaac, 241 
Woods, Alvah, 94, 311, 327 
Woods, Marshall, 326, 332, 336 

Wragg, Samuel, 222 

Wraxall, Nathaniel, 160 

Wright, James, 221 

Yeoman, Thomas, 159 

Young, Barnard, 221 

Young, George, 156 

Young, James, 155 

Young, John, 159 

Young, Mary, 239 

Young, Samuel, 239 

Young, Thomas, 221 

ZuBLY, John J. 221 



m I N" I S . 



COEEIGENDA. 

Page 42, line 2, note, for "Maxcy" read "Messer." 

Page 100, line 18, for "Illustration" read "Illustrations." 

Page 120, line 4, for "possibly" read "possible." 

Page 278, lines 1 and 2, for " George" read "College." 

Page 313, lines 4 and 5, for " L." read " J." 

Page 313, line 12, for "his" read "hers." 



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